Jakub Błaszczykowski

Jakub Błaszczykowski

Błaszczykowski with Poland in 2011
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-12-14) 14 December 1985
Place of birth Truskolasy,[1] Poland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
 VfL Wolfsburg
Number 14
Youth career
1993–2002 Raków Częstochowa
2002–2003 Górnik Zabrze
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 KS Częstochowa 24 (11)
2004–2007 Wisła Kraków 51 (3)
2007–2016 Borussia Dortmund 197 (27)
2015–2016 → Fiorentina (loan) 15 (2)
2016– VfL Wolfsburg 1 (0)
National team‡
2004–2005 Poland U19 8 (0)
2005–2006 Poland U21 3 (1)
2006– Poland 89 (18)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 August 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:08, 14 November 2016 (UTC)

Jakub "Kuba" Błaszczykowski (Polish pronunciation: [ˈjakub bwaʂt͡ʂɨˈkɔfskʲi]; born 14 December 1985) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a winger for German club VfL Wolfsburg and the Poland national team. He started his professional football at Wisła Kraków establishing himself at a young age. In 2007 he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he spent the majority of his career, making over 250 appearances and winning two Bundesliga titles, two DFL-Supercups, and one DFB-Pokal.

Błaszczykowski was twice named Polish Footballer of the Year in 2008 and 2010.[2] With 84 appearances he is the seventh-most capped player for Poland, and captained them as they co-hosted UEFA Euro 2012, while also appearing at UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Early career

Raised in Truskolasy near Częstochowa, Błaszczykowski began training at Raków Częstochowa when he was eight years old.[3] In 2002, at age 16, he joined the youth side of Górnik Zabrze. In early 2003 he joined KS Częstochowa and played in the Polish fourth league until the end of 2004. His uncle, former Poland captain Jerzy Brzęczek, then helped him get a trial at Wisła Kraków, where he impressed then-manager Werner Lička.[4]

Błaszczykowski quickly broke into Wisła's first team, with his first league appearance coming on 20 March 2005 against Polonia Warsaw. By the end of the season, he was an established part of the starting 11. With Wisła he won the Polish Ekstraklasa title in his debut season, and they were runners-up the following season. Additionally he won Canal+'s "Football Oscar" for the best midfielder in the Polish top division. He was also named to the Ekstraklasa Best XI of the 2006–07 season in the Polish Footballers' Association voting.[5]

Borussia Dortmund

Błaszczykowski with Borussia Dortmund in 2007

In February 2007, Błaszczykowski signed a four-year contract with Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee, joining the Bundesliga side in July of that year. He played with the shirt name "Kuba", a diminutive form of his first name, until 2012.[6] During the 2008–09 season, he was plagued by a torn leg muscle.[7] He was, nevertheless, voted Polish Footballer of the Year in December 2008.[8]

Błaszczykowski with Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga title for two consecutive seasons in 2010–11 and 2011–12. He also won the 2011–12 DFB-Pokal, providing two assists in the final 5–2 victory over Bayern Munich.[9] In July 2012, he was named on UEFA's 32-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award.[10]

Błaszczykowski signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund on 24 July 2012, keeping him with the German club until 2016.[11][12] He scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal on 18 August 2012, setting up Marco Reus for Dortmund's opening goal before netting their second, as the Yellow-Blacks achieved a 3–0 victory at FC Oberneuland.[13] On 25 January 2013, Błaszczykowski scored two goals within the first 21 minutes against 1. FC Nürnberg, sending Dortmund on their way to a 3–0 victory and putting the defending champions within just nine points of league leaders Bayern.[14] In Dortmund's 3–2 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 3 February, which moved Dortmund above Leverkusen into second place, he converted a penalty in the ninth minute to put his side up 2–0.[15] He scored Dortmund's third goal in a 3–0 rout of Shakhtar Donetsk on 5 March, completing a 5–2 aggregate victory over the Ukrainian champions as Dortmund progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[16] The result meant that the Yellow-Blacks had advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years.[17]

On 2 June 2013, Błaszczykowski signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, keeping him at the club until 2018.[18] On 27 July 2013, Błaszczykowski won the 2013 DFL-Supercup with Dortmund 4–2 against rivals Bayern Munich.[19] On 26 October 2013, Błaszczykowski scored a goal for Dortmund in the Revierderby against rivals Schalke in a 3–1 win for Dortmund.[20]

Fiorentina (loan)

On 31 August 2015, Błaszczykowski joined Fiorentina for a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund.[21]

VfL Wolfsburg

On 1 August 2016, Błaszczykowski joined VfL Wolfsburg on a three-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million.[22]

International career

Błaszczykowski playing for Poland in 2011

Błaszczykowski debuted for the Poland national football team on 28 March 2006 in a friendly against Saudi Arabia. He did not receive a call up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup due to injury.[23] He scored his first goal for Poland on 22 August 2007 in a friendly against Russia.[24] Błaszczykowski was an important part of Poland's successful UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and was named in Poland's squad for UEFA Euro 2008, but he withdrew due to injury.[25] On 17 November 2010, in a friendly match against Côte d'Ivoire, Błaszczykowski made his debut as captain of the Polish national team.

Błaszczykowski captaining Poland in 2013

Euro 2012

On 8 June 2012, in the opening game of UEFA Euro 2012 against Greece, Błaszczykowski assisted Robert Lewandowski's goal in a 1–1 draw. In the second group stage match against Russia, he scored a long range equalising goal in a 1–1 draw and was named Man of the Match.[26]

World Cup 2014 qualifying

Błaszczykowski was Poland's current top scorer in their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with four goals. His first two strikes were from the penalty spot, his first gave Poland an early lead in their opening group game with Montenegro, a match which finished 2–2. His second goal came four days later, again giving Poland the lead in their 2–0 win over Moldova. He did not feature in the 1–1 draw with England due to injury. Błaszczykowski got the assist for Piszczek's goal in the 3–1 defeat to Ukraine. He did not feature against San Marino four days later due to an injury sustained in the pre-match warm up. On 7 June 2013, he scored his third goal of the qualifying campaign by grabbing the opener against Moldova – a game which finished 1–1. After San Marino scored an equaliser in a qualifying match on 10 September 2013, Błaszczykowski restored the lead just a minute later and Poland went on to win the match 5–1.

Euro 2016

Błaszczykowski playing for Poland at the UEFA Euro 2016 in the quarter-final against Portugal

During nearly half of the qualifying campaign, Błaszczykowski was out of the national squad due to injury. He marked his return when coming on as a substitute in a qualifying match against Georgia, where the former Polish captain provided an assist against Georgia for the current captain, Robert Lewandowski, who scored a hat-trick in the final five minutes of the match in a 4–0 win. He scored a penalty against Gibraltar in an 8–1 victory and played in all the remaining games of qualification.

On 12 June, Poland's opening game, Błaszczykowski played a key role in providing a cross and assisting in Arkadiusz Milik's goal in a 1–0 win over Northern Ireland. This was Poland's first win at European Championship. Błaszczykowski also played in a goalless draw against Germany, but was dropped to the bench for the final group game against Ukraine. He came on as a substitute at halftime to score the only goal which sealed Poland the victory, earned them second spot in the group with seven points, behind Germany on goal difference. This marked their first advancement to the knockout stage at a European championship. On 25 June, the first game in the group of 16, Błaszczykowski scored the opening goal for Poland against Switzerland. The game ended 1–1, going into extra time and then a penalty shootout. Błaszczykowski delivered his spot kick and Poland won 5–4, advancing to the quarter final. The next knockout game against Portugal ended 1–1 after extra time, but Poland lost in the penalty shootout after he could not convert his penalty kick.

Personal life

As a child, Błaszczykowski witnessed a family tragedy which had a major influence on his life.[27] In September 1996, when he was 10 years old, his father stabbed his mother to death.[4][27][28] After his father went to prison, he and his older brother, Dawid, were raised by their grandmother.[3] He briefly gave up football, but with the encouragement of his uncle, Jerzy Brzęczek, a former captain of the Polish national football team, he decided to resume training at Raków Częstochowa two months later.[4][29] Błaszczykowski has credited his successes to his grandmother.[30] He dedicates every goal he scores to his mother and can be seen looking up to the sky during goal celebrations.

Błaszczykowski married Agata Gołaszewska in June 2010.[31] Their daughter, Oliwia, was born in 2011.[27][32] Their second daughter, Lena, was born in 2014. He is a devout Roman Catholic, who reads the Bible on a daily basis, prays often, and participates in the "I am not ashamed of Jesus" project.[33]

Career statistics

As of 6 June 2016[34][35][36]
Club Season League Domestic League Domestic Cups[nb 1] Continental[nb 2] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
KS Częstochowa 2002–03 III Liga 20––20
2003–04 135––135
2004–05 96––96
Total Season League 24 11 – – – – 24 11
Wisła Kraków 2004–05 Ekstraklasa 11141–152
2005–06 1702010200
2006–07 2321180323
Total Season League 51 3 7 2 9 0 67 5
Borussia Dortmund 2007–08 Bundesliga 24130–271
2008–09 2730020293
2009–10 32120–341
2010–11 2931070373
2011–12 2966051407
2012–13 2711421014114
2013–14 1622061243
2014–15 1304030200
Total Season League 197 27 22 2 33 3 252 32
Fiorentina (loan) 2015–16 Serie A 1520030182
Career total 2874229445336149
  1. ↑ Includes DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup
  2. ↑ Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

International goals

Score and Result lists Poland's goals first[34]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 22 August 2007 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Russia 2–2 2–2 Friendly
2. 11 October 2008 Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland  Czech Republic 2–0 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 3 March 2010 Stadion Polonii Warszawa, Warsaw, Poland  Bulgaria 1–0 2–0 Friendly
4. 9 October 2010 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States  United States 2–2 2–2 Friendly
5. 10 August 2011 Stadion Zagłębia Lubin, Lubin, Poland  Georgia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
6. 6 September 2011 PGE Arena Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland  Germany 2–1 2–2 Friendly
7. 7 October 2011 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea  South Korea 2–2 2–2 Friendly
8. 11 October 2011 BRITA-Arena, Wiesbaden, Germany  Belarus 1–0 2–0 Friendly
9. 2 June 2012 Polish Army Stadium, Warsaw, Poland  Andorra 3–0 4–0 Friendly
10. 12 June 2012 National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland  Russia 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2012
11. 7 September 2012 Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro  Montenegro 1–0 2–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
12. 11 September 2012 Stadion Miejski, Wrocław, Poland  Moldova 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
13. 7 June 2013 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova  Moldova 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
14. 10 September 2013 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino  San Marino 2–1 5–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
15. 7 September 2015 Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland  Gibraltar 6–0 8–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
16. 23 March 2016 Stadion Miejski, Poznań, Poland  Serbia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
17. 21 June 2016 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France  Ukraine 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2016
18. 25 June 2016 Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France   Switzerland 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2016

Honours

Łukasz Piszczek and Jakub Błaszczykowski celebrate winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double with Borussia Dortmund in 2012

Club

Wisła Kraków[34]
Borussia Dortmund[34]

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Informacje – Jakub Błaszczykowski". Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ten things about Jakub Blaszczykowski". bundesliga.com. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  3. 1 2 Białoński, Michał (5 January 2007). "Narodziny gwiazdy "Białej Gwiazdy"". Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Leniarski, Radosław (6 June 2008). "Kuba Błaszczykowski: Siedem pechów Kuby". Gazeta Wyborcza (in Polish). Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Wyniki wyborów". pzp.info.pl. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Wraca nazwisko. Czy w Borussii?". kubablaszczykowski.pl. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Beenhakker names Poland World Cup qualifying squad". The Associated Press. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  8. ↑ "Błaszczykowski najlepszym piłkarzem roku". Wirtualna Polska (in Polish). 13 December 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  9. ↑ "Król Lewandowski, Borussia z pucharem!" (in Polish). przegladsportowy.pl. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  10. ↑ "UEFA Best Player in Europe Award contenders". uefa.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Blaszczykowski signs new Dortmund deal until 2016". Goal.com. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Blaszczykowski signs new deal". ESPN Soccernet. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "SHOCK FOR HOFFENHEIM AS DFB CUP CRANKS INTO GEAR". Bundesliga. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Dortmund up to second". ESPN FC. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "DORTMUND TRIUMPH IN EPIC SECOND PLACE SHOWDOWN". Bundesliga. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "Borussia Dortmund 3 Shakhtar 0 (agg 5–2): Gotze and Co show ruthless streak to seal progression to quarter-finals". Daily Mail. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "Devastating Dortmund sweep Shakhtar aside". UEFA. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "Transfer news: Jakub Blaszczykowski signs five-year deal with Borussia Dortmund". SkySports. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Dortmund prevail over Bayern in Supercup thriller". bundesliga.com. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Dortmund trump Schalke in Ruhr derby". bundesliga.com. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  21. ↑ "Jakub Blaszczykowski joins Fiorentina on one-year loan from Dortmund". ESPN. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  22. ↑ Buczko, Stefan (1 August 2016). "Jakub Blaszczykowski leaves Borussia Dortmund for Wolfsburg". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "Janas: Błaszczykowski i Janczyk mogli jechać na mundial". pilka.pl. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  24. ↑ "Poland rallies to draw 2–2 with Russia in friendly ahead of key Euro 2008 qualifiers". Associated Press. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  25. ↑ Milosavljevic, Zoran (5 June 2008). "Blaszczykowski out of finals". Reuters. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  26. ↑ "'Kuba' crowned for captain's performance". uefa.com. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  27. 1 2 3 Fowler, Jonathan (13 June 2012). "Unassuming Kuba is Poland's captain fantastic". Agence France-Presse. Google News.
  28. ↑ "Kuba Błaszczykowski: RODZICE – ojciec zadźgał matkę" (in Polish). gwizdek24.se.pl. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  29. ↑ "Życiorys". jakub-blaszczykowski.pl. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  30. ↑ Grzelak, Bartosz (1 May 2012). "Niepokonany" (in Polish). igol.pl. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  31. ↑ "Błaszczykowski wziął ślub. Zobacz jego miłość!" (in Polish). 21 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  32. ↑ "Kuba Błaszczykowski został ojcem. Zostanie mistrzem?" (in Polish). 22 April 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  33. ↑ "Odważna deklaracja "Kuby". Nowy Citko?" (in Polish). futbolnews.pl. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "J. Błaszczykowski". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "Jakub Blaszczykowski" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  36. ↑ "Jakub Błaszczykowski" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  37. ↑ "Wyniki I Plebiscytu PZP". pzp.info.pl. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  38. 1 2 "Wyniki plebiscytu na najlepszych zawodników 2010 roku". pzpn.pl. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  39. ↑ "Kuba Błaszczykowski wygrał plebiscyt Sportu". gazeta.pl. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  40. ↑ "Jakub Błaszczykowski wygrał plebiscyt "Sportu"". sportowefakty.pl. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  41. ↑ "Kuba piłkarzem roku Borussii!". sport.interia.pl. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
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