The top 10 best Polish soccer players that you may not know about

With a football history full of miracles and constantly developing talents, Poland has become one of the most renowned countries in world football. From veteran stars to modern players, Poland always shines on the international field. The expectations and pride of this country are placed on the heroes of the field, who are not only athletes but also cultural, spiritual, and talented symbols of Poland. So, who is the best football player in Poland? Right now, let’s join Kingsoccertips in taking a look at the 10 best Polish soccer players you may not know, the most notable names in this country’s soccer history!

List of best Polish soccer players today

1. Miroslav Klose (b. 1978)

Miroslav Josef Klose, also known as Mirosław Józef Klose in Polish, born June 9, 1978, is a German former professional football player and coach. As a striker, Klose has scored the most goals of all time for Germany and holds the record for the most goals scored at the FIFA World Cup, with 16 goals across four tournaments from 2002 to 2014.

Klose’s career began at FC 08 Homburg. He then played in the Bundesliga for Kaiserslautern before becoming one of the league’s top scorers with Werder Bremen. He won the 2006 German Footballer of the Year award and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Year for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. Klose joined Bayern Munich in 2007, where he won the Bundesliga title in the 2007–08 and 2009–10 seasons.

However, Klose is best known for his performances for the German national team. He made an important contribution to winning the 2014 World Cup championship for Germany and previously won second place (2002) and third place (2006, 2010) medals with the team at this tournament. He also holds the record for scoring the most goals in the history of FIFA World Cup tournaments, with five goals in the 2002 World Cup, and won the Golden Boot at the 2006 World Cup with another five goals. In addition, he scored 4 goals in the 2010 World Cup and 2 goals in the 2014 World Cup, surpassing Brazil’s Ronaldo’s record of 15 goals to top the all-time scoring list.

2. Robert Lewandowski (b. 1988)

Robert Lewandowski, born August 21, 1988, is a best Polish soccer players who plays as a striker for La Liga club Barcelona and the Poland national team. He is considered one of the leading players of his generation, with a series of impressive achievements both at the club and national team level.

Lewandowski’s career began with small clubs in Poland before moving to the Bundesliga top flight, where he won many individual and team titles. He then joined Bayern Munich, where he played for eight seasons and helped them achieve significant success, including the treble. Lewandowski also played in La Liga with Barcelona, where he continued to make his mark with La Liga titles and many individual awards, including the Pichichi Trophy.

On the national team, Lewandowski also had an impressive career, participating in many major tournaments such as the World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. He is Poland’s all-time top scorer and has won many international individual awards, including the Golden Shoe and the Ballon d’Or. Lewandowski is widely considered one of the greatest, setting a high bar for future generations of Polish soccer players.

3. Grzegorz Lato (b. 1950)

Grzegorz Bolesław Lato, born 8 April 1950, is a Polish former professional football player and coach, best known as a winger. He was an integral part of the golden generation of Polish football in the 1970s and early 80s.

During his career, Lato achieved many notable successes, including a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich and a third place at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. The pinnacle of his career was at the 1974 World Cup when he became the top scorer and remains the only Polish player to date to achieve this title. Among the many accomplished Polish soccer players, Lato’s achievements stand out prominently.

After ending his playing career, Lato switched to a coaching role and worked at several clubs in and outside Poland. In addition to his football career, he is also active in politics, serving as a Polish Senator for the Rzeszów region from 2001 to 2005. In 2008, Lato was elected president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), where he oversaw the organization of Euro 2012, a major event co-hosted by Poland. He held this position until 2012 when he was succeeded by Zbigniew Boniek.

4. Zbigniew Boniek (b. 1956)

Zbigniew Boniek, born March 3, 1956, is a Polish former football player and coach, best known as a midfielder. He is currently the vice president of UEFA. He is considered one of the greatest players in Polish football history and one of the 100 best players of the 21st century, as selected by Pelé in 2004.

During his international career, Boniek played 80 matches for the Polish national team, scored 24 goals, and participated in 3 consecutive World Cups. He, along with the Polish team won third place at the 1982 World Cup and was included in the Team of the Tournament. Among the standout Polish soccer players of his era, Boniek’s performances were particularly notable.

At the club level, Boniek’s greatest achievement was playing for Juventus in Italy, where he won many important titles such as Serie A, Coppa Italia, the European Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup, and the European Super Cup between 1983 and 1985. He was the first Polish player to win these titles with a non-national club, and also one of the first Central and Eastern European players to do so. After retiring, Boniek managed several clubs in Italy as well as the Polish national team in the early 1990s and again in 2002. In 2019, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame, honoring his great contribution to football.

5. Udo Lattek (1935 – 2015)

Udo Lattek (January 16, 1935 – January 31, 2015) was a German professional football player and coach, known as one of the most successful coaches in football history. He won 15 major titles, most famously at Bayern Munich.

Lattek has also had notable successes with Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Barcelona. During his managerial career, he also coached Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, and 1. FC Köln before retiring.

Along with Italian Giovanni Trapattoni and Portuguese José Mourinho, Udo Lattek is the only coach to have won all three major European club titles. He is also one of two people (along with Mourinho) to do this with three different clubs, an incredible achievement in world football.

6. Kazimierz Deyna (1947 – 1989)

Kazimierz Deyna is an icon of Polish football and is recognized as one of the greatest players in the country’s history. Born in 1947, Deyna is famous for his creativity and vision in adjusting the game from an attacking midfielder position. He is known not only for his technique and individual talent but also for his leadership and influence on the field.

Deyna’s career is marked by great successes at both the club and national team levels. He played for many top football teams in Poland and abroad, contributing to numerous trophies and significant achievements during his career. With his tactical vision and ability to shape the game, Deyna has become an important part of every team he has joined.

Off the field, Deyna is an icon and an inspiration to millions of football fans across Poland. Kazimierz Deyna is not only a great player but also a symbol of national pride. In discussions about the top Polish soccer players, Deyna’s legacy continues to shine brightly.

7. Ernst Wilimowski (1916 – 1997)

Ernst Otton Wilimowski, better known by his nickname ‘Ezi’, is one of the greatest football players in the history of Poland and Germany. Born in 1916, Wilimowski played as a striker and was known for his excellent scoring ability.

Wilimowski’s career was highlighted by becoming the first player to score four goals in a match at the FIFA World Cup. He is also one of the top scorers in history, with over 1,077 goals scored in at least 688 matches. This placed him 14th on the list of greatest goalscorers of all time.

Off the field, Wilimowski also occasionally participates in ice hockey for Pogoń Katowice. His versatility and impressive achievements have contributed to his name and legacy in Polish and German football.

8. Lukas Podolski (b. 1985)

Lukas Josef Podolski, born Łukasz Józef Podolski, is a German football player nicknamed “Poldi”. He has played as a striker and attacking midfielder for many top clubs in Europe.

Podolski is famous for his powerful and accurate shot from his left foot, along with his technique and ability to attack from the left wing. Born in Gliwice, Poland, he started his career at 1. FC Köln before moving to Bayern Munich and then back to Köln. He has also played for Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray.

On the national team, Podolski had a brilliant career with Germany. He participated in seven major tournaments and won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. With 130 caps and 49 goals, Podolski is the third-most-capped player and third-highest scorer in the history of the German national team. Podolski also scored the fastest goal in the history of the German national team, after just 9 seconds in a friendly match against Ecuador on 29 May 2013. He retired from international football in 2017 after scoring the winning goal in a friendly match against England.

9. Włodzimierz Lubański (b. 1947)

Włodzimierz “Włodek” Leonard Lubański is one of the best Polish soccer players, best known as a striker. Born on February 28, 1947, in Gliwice-Sośnica, he left a deep mark in the history of national football.

Lubański is known as the second-highest scorer of all time for the Polish national team, behind only Robert Lewandowski. He is also famous for being the youngest player ever to represent Poland, having debuted at the age of 16 years and 188 days.

During his national career, Lubański represented Poland in 75 matches between 1963 and 1980, scoring 48 goals. This achievement demonstrates his excellence and undeniable contribution to the history of the Polish national team.

10. Włodzimierz Smolarek (1957 – 2012)

Włodzimierz Wojciech Smolarek, who was born on 16 July 1957 and died on 7 March 2012, was a Polish football player who had a notable career at both club and national team levels. His performances place him among the influential Polish soccer players, and his legacy continues to be remembered fondly.

He is known as a winger or attacking midfielder, and he has spent most of his professional career with two clubs, Widzew Łódź and Utrecht. At Widzew Łódź, Smolarek played in over 200 official matches, showing consistency and making a significant contribution to the team.

In the Eredivisie, the top Dutch league, Smolarek also left his mark, appearing in a total of 212 matches and scoring 45 goals throughout eight seasons. This is a testament to his talent and stability on the field. In addition, Smolarek is also an important member of the Polish national team, attending two World Cups and playing for the team in 60 matches. This reflects his merit and significant contribution to representing the country on the international stage.

Conclusion

In the hearts of football fans, the top 10 Polish soccer players listed above are always subjects of controversy and comparison. However, with names like Robert Lewandowski, Kazimierz Deyna, Włodzimierz Lubański, and many others, Poland has produced great talents not only in its history but also at the international level. The excitement and passion of these players have inspired millions of fans around the world and contributed significantly to the development of global football. With their talent, achievements, and love for the game, these players have left an indelible mark on the history of Polish football and are an inspiration for the next generation!

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