A last goodbye: Podolski gets captain's armband in Germany swan song
Retiring Germany international Lukas Podolski was named captain for Wednesday's friendly against England, as he earned his 130th and final cap for the reigning World Cup champion at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion.
There's a #DieMannschaft debut for Timo #Werner, while @Podolski10 wears the captain's armband in his final 🇩🇪 game. #PoldiButGoldie #GERENG pic.twitter.com/aXpicevOjt
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 22, 2017
Podolski, 31, announced his decision to step away from Die Mannschaft in August. The former Bayern Munich, FC Koln, and Arsenal poacher first represented his country in June 2004, and played in seven major tournaments.
He is third all time in appearances for Germany, only behind prolific striker Miroslav Klose (137) and dominant midfielder Lothar Matthaus (150). The Galatasaray man also won the 2014 World Cup with his countrymen in Brazil.
Should he score twice in Wednesday's exhibition, Podolski would reach 50 international goals.
It is an emotional farewell for a fan favourite and coach's dream. Germany manager Joachim Low has worked with Podolski since taking the job in 2006.
"We have gone over many hurdles, many tournaments, disappointments but also the biggest joy as coach and player with the World Cup victory in 2014," Low said prior to the match, via the Guardian.
Podolski joins a departing generation of world-class players to serve the four-time World Cup champion, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm.
One ending makes way for a new beginning, however, as RB Leipzig's Timo Werner debuted against the Three Lions. Werner, 21, earned his first senior call-up after scoring 14 goals for surprise package Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season.