German World Cup winner Lukas Podolski has opened a kebab shop in Cologne. The former Arsenal and Bayern Munich star already owns a clothing store and ice cream parlor in the city he still calls home.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Kaiser
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Hundreds of fans queued outside German footballer Lukas Podolski's new kebab restaurant in Cologne's trendy Chlodwigplatz on Saturday for the grand opening and a chance to see the city's favorite son.
Fans got the chance to meet their proclaimed "Prinz Poldi" at his new restaurant, where he posed for photos next to the rotating spit of meat and signed autographs.
Fans got the chance to meet and greet 'Prinz Poldi' at the opening of Mangal DönerImage: picture-alliance/CITYPRESS 24/Krick
Asked how he came up with the idea to open a kebab restaurant, Podolski said he wasn't entirely sure: "Ideas just come — I don't even really have a business plan right now."
Nevertheless, the footballer's spokesman, Sebastian Lange, said "the euphoria is very, very great, contrary to expectations, and Podolski is very happy with the launch." The soccer star plans to run the restaurant with two co-owners.
Lange added that Podolski acquired the taste for Turkish cuisine during his two-year spell with Galatasaray in Istanbul.
The winger, who speaks with a thick Cologne accent, already owns a clothing boutique called Street Kicker and an ice cream parlor named Ice Cream United in his home city. He also organizes and sometimes attends a football camp for young children in Cologne every summer.
Podolski said he doesn't really have a business plan; judging by the fanfare, he might not need oneImage: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Kaiser
Pressed by the local Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper over whether he, as a professional athlete, was setting a bad example by running ice cream and kebab businesses, Podolski responded that he had no concerns: "As an athlete, you'll burn an ice cream for dessert or a kebab in around 10 minutes."
He added: "Opening a five-star restaurant isn't my style — I'm not the type that wears a suit."
'I believe in miracles'
Podolski also talked up the chances that his beloved hometown club FC Cologne, with whom he enjoyed two successful spells as a player, could avoid relegation and remain in the Bundesliga next season.
Cologne currently finds itself bottom of the league, with just six points and one win after 17 games — the second-worst ever record at this stage of a Bundesliga season.
"I believe in miracles," Podolski said. "It's too early to talk about the second division. I'm calling on all the fans and the city to support the team as long as it's possible [to stay in the Bundesliga].
Picture Gallery: Bye bye Poldi!
Lukas Podolski scored a scorching winner against England in his 130th and final match for Germany. He will be missed by the fans, particularly those from his hometown of Cologne.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Becker
Lethal left peg
As the man himself said, a farewell like a script from a movie. In his 130th and final match for Germany, Podolski scores his 49th international goal. And it was one of his best. A scorching drive into the top corner to secure a 1-0 friendly win against England in Dortmund.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Thissen
Just fire the ball into the net!
In the autumn of 2003, Lukas Podolski made his Bundesliga debut with the club that brought him up through its youth system, FC Cologne. At the tender age of 18 he scored 12 goals for the Billy Goats. His recipe for success: "Just fire the ball into the net, then head home."
Image: picture-alliance/Pressefoto Ulmer/B. Hake
Cologne lad
Podolski was born in Poland, but he grew up 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Cologne, which he describes as "my dearly beloved city." No matter where he would venture in the world of football, "Prince Poldi" would always find time to send warm wishes to Cologne and its residents. This feeling of warmth has always been mutual.
Image: dapd
Rookie on the international stage
Podolski made his first appearance for Germany in a 2-0 defeat to Hungary in a friendly match in June, 2004. Head coach Rudi Völler brought him on for the last 15 minutes of the match. At 19 years and two days old, he was the third youngest player (until then) to have made his debut for Germany or West Germany - after Uwe Seeler and Olaf Thon.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/C. Koepsel
BFFL
The entire nation seemed to revel in Germany's hosting the 2006 World Cup, and the antics of Poldi and his friend Bastian Schweinsteiger were all part of the fun. "Asked about "Schweini's" haircut, Podolski quipped: "It took just 15 minutes - and it shows." Schweinsteiger has described Podolski as one of the people "who will always be a special part of my life."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Hassenstein
A beer shower for friend
In 2006, Podolski joined his friend Schweinsteiger at Bayern Munich. However, he never really settled in. The media would describe his three years in the Bavarian capital as "one big mistake." However, he did win the double with Bayern in 2008 - taking the opportunity to give his buddy Schweini a beer shower.
Image: picture-alliance/Sven Simon
A slap heard across Germany
Although Michael Ballack captained the national team for several years, he wasn't popular with everybody who played with him. The clearest evidence came when Poldi slapped Ballack in the face during a World Cup qualifier against Wales in 2009. "I have apologized," Poldi said afterwards. "It was a mistake on my part, and it shouldn't have happened."
Image: picture-alliance/ dpa
The return of the prodigal son
In 2009 Podolski returned home to the River Rhine. The attacker "is as much a part of FC Cologne as the cathedral is of Cologne itself" the city's mayor at the time, Fritz Schramma quipped. However, Podolski wasn't the messiah that Cologne's management had hoped that he would be.
Image: dapd
An FA Cup title
After three not particularly successful seasons back at Cologne, Podolski accepted a transfer to Arsenal. The move to London agreed with him and in 2014 he was part of the Gunners team that won the FA Cup.
Image: Reuters
World Cup champion
His greatest achievement was being part of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in 2014, even though he only saw 53 minutes of playing time. Poldi's is seen of having played a key role in keeping the team's spirits up when the going got tough.
Image: AFP/Getty Images
Man of the people
Euro 2016 in France was Podolski's seventh and final major tournament. His only action with in the round of 16 when he was subbed in for the final 15 minutes, much to the delight of the German fans, with whom he celebrated the victory. Poldi truly is a man of the people.
Image: Getty Images/A. Hassenstein
Quick wit
Poldolski got what must have been the biggest laugh at Euro 2016. When asked about coach Löw having been caught on camera reaching into his trousers during a match, Poldi replied: "Eighty percent of the guys in this room have scratched their balls at some point or another." Even most of the journalists at the press conference at the German camp in Évian-les-Bains laughed out loud.
Image: picture-alliance/GES-Sportfoto/M. Gilliar
Five goals in a game
In 2015, Podolski moved from Arsenal to Galatasaray via Inter Milan, where he would become a fan favorite. Back in January, Podolski scored five goals in a 6-2 win over Turkish league rivals Akhisar Belediyespor, making him something of a legend at Galatasaray. In the summer he is to move to Japanese club Vissel Kobe.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/O. Coban
There's only one Lukas Podolski
In Lukas Podolski, the nation team is losing one of its most colorful characters. "Nowadays, it seems like everyone is looking for computer-controlled players, players out of a catalogue," the 31-year-old said recently. "There is no more room for characters, which is unfortunate, because they are what make football so special." Good-bye Poldi, a lot of German fans will miss you.
