With Germany v England Lukas Podolski’s final international appearance, the former Arsenal star was allowed a speech before kick-off.
And at the end of a career spanning 130 games, that’s fair enough – the problem was some people thought it was a little long.
Podolski giving an Oscar speech loool
— Bilz. (@BilalAz123) March 22, 2017
Lukas Podolski has grabbed the ref's whistle and blown to stop the game, in order to continue his speech.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 22, 2017
Shocking scenes in Germany as a football game breaks out. Was enjoying Podolski's speech about his life and times
— Darren Cleary (@RadioCleary) March 22, 2017
Some even felt the lengthy nature of the speech was enough to warrant added time.
Can't believe the ref didn't add on at least five minutes added time for that Podolski speech… #GERENG
— Tom Rains (@MrTomRains) March 22, 2017
Eventually, the game did indeed get under way – for a while, it didn’t seem to be going to well for Lukas…
Another wild shot from Podolski. He is in danger of being dropped for the next game.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 22, 2017
… but that was before he unleashed his traction engine of a left foot on the international stage one last time.
This is how to bow out of international football…@Podolski10 on his final appearance for Germany @DFB_Team_EN ???? pic.twitter.com/cCQPjHBhiy
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 22, 2017
Pick. That. One. Out.
What a way to bow out…great goal from Lukas Podolski. They love that here in Dortmund.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) March 22, 2017
What a finish, and look what it does to the stats – the same number of international goals as Bobby Charlton, and the same number of World Cups too – worthy of a lengthy speech some might say…
Lukas Podolski for Germany:
130 caps
49 goals
7 major tournaments
1 World CupThe perfect farewell. ???? pic.twitter.com/sqY8Hnk4Ah
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 22, 2017
So Lukas Podolski will end his international career with as many goals as Bobby Charlton. He won the World Cup as often, too.
— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) March 22, 2017
The goal turned out to be the winner, appropriately, and Podolski’s substitution towards the end was worthy of note as well.
End football as a sport. Podolski getting subbed to the Gladiator soundtrack after belting it top bins in his last game won't be beaten.
— S (@attwood10) March 22, 2017
Podolski comes off in his 130th & final Germany game to Hans Zimmer score of the movie Gladiator. If you're gonna bow out, this is the way
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) March 22, 2017
What a goal – what a career.
'It just had to be you, didn't it' ?? #PoldiButGoldie pic.twitter.com/CrPOQXN2Yt
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 22, 2017
We’ll miss you Poldi!
