03.05.2026 22:11
Gornik Zabrze, with 40-year-old Lukas Podolski in its jersey, won the Polish Cup after 54 years. The former Galatasaray player ended his career with a trophy at the club of his childhood dreams.
Former Galatasaray star Lukas Podolski ended his active football career with a historic achievement at the club of his childhood dreams. The 40-year-old legend made football history by lifting the Polish Cup with Polish side Gornik Zabrze.
54-YEAR WAIT ENDS
In the Polish Cup final, Gornik Zabrze faced Rakow Czestochowa and emerged victorious with a clear 2-0 score, taking the trophy home. The Polish team won the Polish Cup after exactly 54 years (last in 1972), ending a 38-year overall cup drought in Podolski's farewell match.
5 DIFFERENT CUPS IN 5 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
With this final success, Podolski added a unique statistic to his career. The German star achieved a hard-to-break record by winning local cups in 5 different countries where he played during his professional career.
- 2008 (Germany): Bayern Munich - DFB-Pokal
- 2014 (England): Arsenal - FA Cup
- 2016 (Turkey): Galatasaray - Turkish Cup
- 2019 (Japan): Vissel Kobe - Emperor's Cup
- 2026 (Poland): Gornik Zabrze - Puchar Polski
FAREWELL TO FOOTBALL
Fulfilling his promise to end his career at his childhood love Gornik Zabrze, Podolski entered the match in the 89th minute of the final, bidding farewell to professional football amid the applause of his fans. The 40-year-old legend both changed his club's history and finished his career at its peak.