Austria’s own Poldi: how Arnautović became the nation’s favourite | OneFootball

If someone had said about 20 years ago, when the then-young Arnautović was going through the youth academies of Rapid and Austria Vienna, that he would one day become Austria's record goal scorer, most people (without wanting to diminish his talent) would have thought they were crazy.

But since October 9th, it's a fact. The former Werder player has surpassed the legendary Toni Polster with his four goals against San Marino and now stands at the top of Austria's goal scorers with 45 goals.

Looking at Arnautović, he is in a way the Austrian Lukas Podolski. Just like Prince Poldi, the Austrian was not taken entirely seriously due to some flippant remarks in the past, both had successful days in England, played at Inter Milan, later in Asia, and over the course of their careers, they transformed from ridiculed young players to nationally recognized and appreciated football icons of the 21st century.

📸 Joern Pollex - 2010 Getty Images

However, there is one significant difference: Poldi was probably better at his peak. After his incredible Premier League season 12/13, the performance of the Cologne prince gradually declined over the years, and he couldn't match his earlier displays. This is different with Marko Arnautović. The Austrian repeatedly had phases where it seemed certain that he had passed his prime. But instead of gradually declining, the Viennese made one (performance) comeback after another.

He declined in his first Premier League season at Stoke City and improved again in the second. He moved to China, where he repeatedly fell into severe form crises, and returned three years later stronger, to dominate everything in Italy with FC Bologna. He moved to Inter Milan as a rotation player and instead of becoming a benchwarmer, he became an absolute super sub, who could still deliver the decisive lucky punch at the international top level in the Champions League.

Although Arnautović repeatedly clashed during his career and couldn't avoid one or another "scandal," the striker played his way deeper into the hearts of his clubs' fans and the hearts of Austrians. That this relationship is by no means one-sided became clear after the game against San Marino when the visibly emotional bull spoke of it being "one of the most beautiful days" of his life.

By now, Marko Arnautović (just like Lukas Podolski) has moved to a club with which he has a certain connection through family roots - Crvena Zvezda. Arnautović, who himself has Serbian ancestors, delivered five scorer points in his first four league games for Red Star Belgrade and became an absolute focal point of the red-white offense.

📸 PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP or licensors

If nothing unexpected happens, it can be strongly assumed that the great striker will travel to the World Cup again next year. He will probably continue to play a central role there and might bid farewell to the big stage with the tournament. Or he will have a fantastic tournament and in the following summer transfer for a few million euros to Barça, Real, or another top club. With this Marko Arnautović, you never know.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 GEORG HOCHMUTH