Fifth cup victory in the fifth country
Postpone the end of your career? World champion reveals reflection
May 3, 2026 – 11:04 amReading time: 2 minutes
A dream comes true for Lukas Podolski. After five years he wins a title with Górnik Zabrze and perhaps changes his future plans again.
Lukas Podolski won the Polish Cup with Górnik Zabrze and beat Raków Czestochowa 2-0 (1-0) in the final. Ex-Stuttgart player Roberto Massimo (32′) took the lead, which Maksym Khlan extended in the second half (65′).
Lukas Podolski only came on as a substitute in stoppage time, but received a red card after being brutally fouled by Norwegian Jonatan Braut Brune.
For Podolski it is the fifth cup victory overall. He previously won the national cup with Bayern in Germany, with Arsenal in England, with Galatasaray Istanbul in Turkey and with Vissel Kobe in Japan. But this is a very special trophy for the 40-year-old, as he was born in neighboring Gliwice and has been playing in Zabrze for five years now.
“It’s always a great experience, a great thing and today it’s just wonderful that we managed to win this trophy for Górnik after so many years. I still remember what Górnik was like back then and where the club was when I came here five years ago. That’s why I’m very happy that we’ve achieved so much in this time,” explained the 2014 world champion.
Górnik was once considered a top Polish club, won 14 championships and has now lifted the cup for the seventh time. However, it is the first title since 1988, when Zabrze became champions.
The cup victory could also have an impact on Podolski’s career plans. The left-footed player had repeatedly emphasized that this would be his last season. In November, however, in an interview with the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” he left a back door open and said that “it should actually be my last season”. However, he added: “If we succeed in a sporting coup, I might want to take it with me again.”
Górnik has now achieved this. By winning the cup, the club is at least qualified for the Europa League. The league could even qualify for the Champions League. After the cup win, Podolski again admitted that it should have been the last season, but added: “Maybe I’ll think of something else, because this European Cup is tempting.”
