With the 7-1 victory against Curaçao, Germany has also successfully started the World Cup. Lukas Podolski (40) has high expectations for the German national football team at the 2026 World Cup. "I believe the guys get along well with each other. Team spirit is important and that everyone gives it their all. In the end, you win as a team and the atmosphere in the locker room has to be right", said the 2014 World Cup champion at the "Lego Arena Show" on Sunday in Munich. That's exactly what he sees in head coach Julian Nagelsmann's (38) team: "I believe it does, and that's why I'm optimistic that we will go far."
More than 7,000 fans celebrate in Munich
Podolski was among other prominent guests at the event at Munich's BMW Park. In front of more than 7,000 fans on site and live on ProSieben and Joyn, four two-person teams competed in football challenges for the Creator Cup trophy during the 90-minute show. While Joko Winterscheidt (47) gave the official starting signal, Steven Gätjen (53) hosted the football event. Creator Elias Nerlich (28) was also part of the show and celebrated his debut as a football quiz master.
The show evening was preceded by a major community campaign: Over the course of weeks, fans and creators throughout Germany had collected a million Lego bricks together online and offline. Only after reaching this milestone did the doors to the show in Munich open. Winterscheidt finally placed the last brick and thus opened the Creator Cup.
A special highlight of the evening was an official world record: The world's largest Lego football was created from more than 250,000 bricks. The model measures five meters in diameter, weighs more than 747 kilograms, and was verified and certified by the Record Institute for Germany. "A world record! I'm standing here as the designer, but this was a great team effort", rejoiced Lego designer Zio Chao.
France and Spain as biggest opponents
Podolski himself could possibly claim a special record. When asked what kind of world record he could set, he said: "Well, I've won trophies in five countries. I don't know if I'm the only one, but not many have certainly achieved that", laughed the 40-year-old.
Afterwards, a public viewing of the Germany vs. Curaçao match took place on site, which the DFB team won 7-1. Regarding the biggest competitors in the fight for the World Cup title, Podolski mainly counts two countries: "France and Spain have very good players, a high individual quality." At the same time, he once again emphasized the German team's chances: "But I also believe that Germany will go far because the guys function very well as a team."
Podolski also sees a lot of quality on the coaching benches at this World Cup. "Meanwhile, many coaches are also coaching teams who have already demonstrated their abilities at the club level. Thomas Tuchel in England or even Carlo Ancelotti in Brazil. I think there's a high level of quality overall!"
Family and new projects move into focus
Podolski himself officially ended his active football career at the end of May. After many years in professional football, this step represents a turning point for him - but he's not saying goodbye to football. "Football has always been a big part of my life. And it remains so, as I still have a lot planned with Górnik Zabrze as the new owner", he said. The former national team player secured the majority stake in Polish club Górnik Zabrze, for which the traditional club from Upper Silesia he played on the field himself from 2021 until his career ended.
He's unlikely to get bored in the future either. In addition to his plans with Górnik Zabrze, he has many other projects, Podolski explained. At the same time, he wants to set new priorities in his private life: "I also want to spend more time with my family. With my wife and my children. I want to focus more on that."
