- The player owns more than 30 restaurants as part of a lucrative business empire.
- They had stints with Arsenal and Bayern Munich and won the World Cup in 2014.
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A former Arsenal and Germany star looked unrecognizable as he posed for a photo posted to his Instagram account.
The striker in question has enjoyed a storied career at the top of the game, having led the line at some of Europe’s biggest clubs for 21 years.
Among the honors in the player’s bulging trophy cabinet are the winners: medals from the German top flight, FA Cup, World Cup and titles from Japan and Turkey – true marks of a successful career as an official.
On Wednesday, Lukas Podolski showed his fans that he’s been keeping busy, though, posting from a mine in Bielszowice, Poland, with the caption: ‘God bless you!’ and the hashtag ‘never forget where you come from’.
Perhaps it was the helmet, yellow boots and matching jacket that baffled fans, but the striker was barely recognizable in the prime of his career.
Former Arsenal and Bayern Munich star Lukas Podolski looked unrecognizable after a trip to a coal mine.
Podolski said a tearful farewell to Koln fans in Germany at the beginning of October.
Podolski owns more than 30 restaurants as part of his lucrative business empire.
Like many footballers of the modern era, Podolski has already laid the foundation for a successful life beyond football.
The Polish-born striker has established his own kebab business empire with more than 30 restaurants to his name, including one at Cologne’s Bonn Airport, and has a net worth of around £180 million.
“I grew up eating kebabs,” he told Mail Sport’s Nik Simon over the summer.
‘They are famous here. I started this business six years ago and we want to make it big. I don’t live just to train, sleep and watch. netflix.
“Nowadays no one wants to work. Everyone dreams of becoming a social media star or YouTuber. That’s why more and more bakeries are closing. Nobody wants to get up in the morning and do the dirty work.
In October, Podolski said an emotional farewell to football, having conquered the world with Germany and played for giants such as Arsenal and Bayern Munich during his stellar career.
Emotions were high after his testimony in Cologne, whose youth ranks he joined in 2003, and where he played 81 games before taking his first big step to Bayern Munich.
After spells at Cologne and Bayern Munich, Podolski (pictured center) joined Arsenal in 2012.
Podolski, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2010, made 130 international appearances for his country.
After scoring for both the Poldi team and the Koln
“It’s over on the field, but we will surely see each other again off the field, whether in the stands or away from home,” Podolski said in front of 50,000 spectators. ‘Once you’re a Cologne fan, you’re always a Cologne fan.
‘It really touches me that so many fans want to come and enjoy this special evening with me. It is my honor to wear the Billygoat on my chest once again in front of a full stadium.
“It is a final declaration of love for this very special city, for the club with its fantastic fans, for my teammates of so many years and for the rest of the people who have accompanied my path.”
