"Podolski spoke to Poles in our language and didn't celebrate after scoring twice against Poland at Euro 2008. Krzysztof Maj, Gornik's sporting director at the time, always welcomed him to Zabrze with open arms, and the two became close friends. Podolski promised Maj to play for Gornik towards the end of his career, and he made the same promise to granny Zofia who waited patiently for the moment to come. About 10,000 fans came to greet Poldi, and I can't remember anything like that in Polish football. "We have never had a World Cup winner before in Ekstraklasa.

Source: BBC July 23, 2021 06:00 UTC