Ex-Arsenal star delivers a HORROR tackle during five-a-side match… as veteran apologises on social media
- The shocking tackle took place during a Spodek Super Cup match
- The attacker was shown a yellow card and later gave the tackle victim his match-worn shirt
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Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski produced a horror tackle during a five-a-side match in Poland.
The 39-year-old is now entering the final chapter of his career after two trophy-laden decades with a host of top clubs, including the Premier League, where he won the Bundesliga, the FA Cup and the 2014 World Cup with Germany a decade ago. .
The veteran’s competitiveness has clearly not gone away and he showed it during an appearance in the Spodek Super Cup, an eight-team, five-a-side indoor competition.
In the leagues third place play-off match, Podolski launched a reckless one-legged tackle that hit his opponent’s knee.
Dissatisfied with his effort, he threw the ball in the victim’s direction while furiously shouting a few words before being shown a yellow card.
In the end, Podolski’s side Gornik Zabrze claimed a 4-1 victory, but he appeared to regret his actions.
Lukas Podolski produced a horror tackle during a five-a-side match in Poland
Kuba Siedleckim, from third division club Wisloka Debica, suffered pain after the tackle
He spoke to Kuba Siedleckim, from third division Wisloka Debica, and presented him with his match-worn shirt.
Podolski posted on social media afterwards: “There were emotions on the pitch, but after the match there is agreement. Sorry for the hard foul. All the best in the season.”
In October, despite playing for Wisloka Debica, Podolski had a ‘farewell match’ for former club Cologne.
After scoring for both Team Poldi and a Cologne XI on the farewell evening, the forward took the microphone to deliver a farewell speech in which the player pledged his lifelong loyalty to the side.
“It’s over now on the field, but we will definitely see each other again off the field, both in the stands and on the road,” Podolski said.
After scoring for both Team Poldi and a Cologne XI on the farewell evening, the forward took the microphone to deliver a farewell speech in which the player pledged his lifelong loyalty to the side.
“It’s over now on the field, but we will definitely see each other again off the field, both in the stands and on the road,” said an emotional Podolski.
‘Once a Cologne fan, always a Cologne fan.
“It touches me enormously that so many fans would like to come and enjoy this special evening with me,” he told the 50,000-strong audience. ‘It is an honor for me to be able to wear the buck on my chest once again in front of a packed audience.
‘It is a final declaration of love to this special city, the club with its fantastic fans, my teammates for so many years and other people who have guided my path.’
A number of famous faces took part in the testimonial, including former Germany number 1 Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and former national coach Joachim Low.