Home / EURO 2016 / Lukas Podolski answers critics and says he’s ‘not going as a mascot’ to Euro 2016

Lukas Podolski answers critics and says he’s ‘not going as a mascot’ to Euro 2016

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Updated: June 3, 2016
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Lukas Podolski is tired of hearing he’s been included in Germany’s Euro 2016 squad as a ‘mascot’

Lukas Podolski must have heard enough about how he didn’t have anything to contribute to Germany’s Euro 2016 campaign.

The Galatasaray striker lashed out at his critics at Germany’s press conference on Wednesday, insisting he had a lot left in the tank and was headed to France to lend the 23-man squad much more than moral support.

‘I’m not going as a mascot as some people have described it,’ said Podolski.

After the injured Marco Reus was left out, many Twitter users wondered why Podolski had been included
After the injured Marco Reus was left out, many Twitter users wondered why Podolski had been included

A string of Twitter users questioned Podolski’s inclusion in Joachim Low’s final squad on Tuesday, especially after the World Cup-winning coach left out the injured Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus.

The former Arsenal, Cologne and Bayern Munich forward said it bothered him that some fans doubted he had anything to offer on the pitch.

‘I find it shows a total lack of respect. I’ve got over 100 caps. To describe me as a mascot, I think that’s out of order.’

Podolski scored the winner in Galatasaray's 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the 2016 Turkish Cup final

Podolski scored the winner in Galatasaray’s 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the 2016 Turkish Cup final

The 30-year-old (right, with Antonio Rudiger) has an infectious smile - but he says that's not all he has to offer

GERMANY AT EURO 2016

Group C

Sunday 12 June – vs Ukraine at Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille (BBC)

Thursday 16 June – vs Poland at Stade de France, Saint-Denis (ITV)

Tuesday 21 June – vs Northern Ireland at Parc des Princes, Paris (BBC)

‘I’ve got a lot of experience and had a good season in Turkey.’

Podolski scored 13 goals in what was a difficult league season for the Istanbul side, and scored the winner in the Turkish Cup final.

The man Germans have called ‘Prinz Poldi’ since he made a splash at his first major tournament in 2006 as a 20-year-old insisted he could still be a key player for Germany in France.

‘I’m fit, injury-free and my goal is to win the Euros.’

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