Jakub Błaszczykowski
{{short description|Polish footballer (born 1985)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jakub Błaszczykowski
| image = Jakub Błaszczykowski 2019.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Błaszczykowski in July 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|12|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = Truskolasy,{{cite web|title=Informacje – Jakub Błaszczykowski|url=http://www.jakub-blaszczykowski.pl/dzial-6.html|access-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920162648/http://www.jakub-blaszczykowski.pl/dzial-6.html|archive-date=20 September 2011}} Poland
| position = Winger
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1993–2002
| youthclubs1 = Raków Częstochowa
| youthyears2 = 2002–2003
| youthclubs2 = Górnik Zabrze
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = KS Częstochowa
| caps1 = 24| goals1 = 11
| years2 = 2004–2007
| clubs2 = Wisła Kraków
| caps2 = 51
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2007–2016
| clubs3 = Borussia Dortmund
| caps3 = 197
| goals3 = 27
| years4 = 2015–2016
| clubs4 = → Fiorentina (loan)
| caps4 = 15
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2016–2019
| clubs5 = VfL Wolfsburg
| caps5 = 38
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2019–2023
| clubs6 = Wisła Kraków
| caps6 = 50
| goals6 = 16
| totalcaps = 375
| totalgoals = 60
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam1 = Poland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2005–2006
| nationalteam2 = Poland U21
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2005
| nationalteam3 = Poland B
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2006–2023
| nationalteam4 = Poland
| nationalcaps4 = 109
| nationalgoals4 = 21
}}
Jakub "Kuba" Błaszczykowski ({{IPA|pl|ˈjakup ˈkuba bwaʂt͡ʂɨˈkɔfskʲi|-|Pl-Jakub_Błaszczykowski.ogg}}; born 14 December 1985) is a Polish businessman and former professional footballer who played as a winger. He is a part owner of Polish football club Wisła Kraków,{{cite news |date=20 April 2020 |title=Wisła Kraków ma nowych właścicieli! Zmiana na stanowisku prezesa |trans-title=Wisła Kraków has new owners! Change in the position of president. |url=https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,65039,25883473,oficjalnie-wisla-krakow-ma-nowych-wlascicieli-zmiana-na-stanowisku.html |access-date=11 December 2020 |work=Sport.pl |language=pl}} where he began his professional career and established 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. With 109 appearances, he is the second-most capped player of the Poland national team, and captained them as they co-hosted UEFA Euro 2012, while also appearing at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
=Early career=
Raised in Truskolasy near Częstochowa, Błaszczykowski began training at Raków Częstochowa when he was eight years old. 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.
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.{{cite web|title=Wyniki wyborów|url=http://www.pzp.info.pl/aktualnosci/80/wyniki_wyborow/|publisher=pzp.info.pl|access-date=16 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221224438/http://www.pzp.info.pl/aktualnosci/80/wyniki_wyborow/|archive-date=21 February 2014}}
=Borussia Dortmund=
File:Jakub Błaszczykowski.jpg 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} He played with the shirt name "Kuba", a diminutive form of his first name, until 2012.{{cite web |title=Wraca nazwisko. Czy w Borussii? |trans-title=The name returns. At Borussia? |url=http://kubablaszczykowski.pl/pl/aktualnosci/wraca-nazwisko-czy-w-borussii/4273 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034828/http://kubablaszczykowski.pl/pl/aktualnosci/wraca-nazwisko-czy-w-borussii/4273 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=17 July 2012 |publisher=kubablaszczykowski.pl}} During the 2008–09 season, he was plagued by a torn leg muscle.{{cite news | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/13/sports/SOC-Poland-Squad.php | title = Beenhakker names Poland World Cup qualifying squad | date = 13 March 2009 | work = The Associated Press | access-date =13 March 2009}} He was, nevertheless, voted Polish Footballer of the Year in December 2008.{{cite news |date=13 December 2008 |title=Błaszczykowski najlepszym piłkarzem roku |trans-title=Błaszczykowski is the best footballer of the year. |url=http://sport.wp.pl/kat,1726,title,Blaszczykowski-najlepszym-pilkarzem-roku,wid,10664856,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=17a9e&_ticrsn=3 |access-date=13 March 2009 |work=Wirtualna Polska |language=pl}}
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.{{cite web |date=12 May 2012 |title=Król Lewandowski, Borussia z pucharem! |trans-title=King Lewandowski, Borussia with the cup! |url=http://bundesliga.przegladsportowy.pl/Pilka-nozna-Puchar-Niemiec-Borussia-Domrtund-Bayern-Monachium-5-2,artykul,137015,1,458.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515080751/http://bundesliga.przegladsportowy.pl/Pilka-nozna-Puchar-Niemiec-Borussia-Domrtund-Bayern-Monachium-5-2,artykul,137015,1,458.html |archive-date=15 May 2012 |access-date=12 May 2012 |publisher=przegladsportowy.pl |language=pl |df=dmy-all}} In July 2012, he was named on UEFA's 32-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award.{{cite web|title=UEFA Best Player in Europe Award contenders|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/newsid=1840815.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720191040/http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/newsid=1840815.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2012|publisher=UEFA|access-date=17 July 2012}}
Błaszczykowski signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund on 24 July 2012, keeping him with the German club until 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3924/germany/2012/07/24/3262491/blaszczykowski-signs-new-dortmund-deal-until-2016|title=Blaszczykowski signs new Dortmund deal until 2016|date=24 July 2012|access-date=24 July 2012|publisher=Goal.com}}{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1126728/jakob-blaszczykowski-signs-new-dortmund-contract?cc=3888|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103032635/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1126728/jakob-blaszczykowski-signs-new-dortmund-contract?cc=3888|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=Blaszczykowski signs new deal|date=24 July 2012|access-date=24 July 2012|publisher=ESPN Soccernet}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2012/0000219604.php |title=SHOCK FOR HOFFENHEIM AS DFB CUP CRANKS INTO GEAR |publisher=Bundesliga |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614002415/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2012/0000219604.php |archive-date=14 June 2013 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/346237/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null |title=Dortmund up to second |publisher=ESPN FC |date=25 January 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504223025/http://espnfc.com/en/report/346237/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null |archive-date=4 May 2013 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2012/0000239663.php |title=DORTMUND TRIUMPH IN EPIC SECOND PLACE SHOWDOWN |publisher=Bundesliga |date=3 February 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315110638/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2012/0000239663.php |archive-date=15 March 2013 }} 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.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The result meant that the Yellow-Blacks had advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0207-0e9ed7833de0-e40f5db0d8f9-1000--devastating-dortmund-sweep-shakhtar-aside/ |title=Devastating Dortmund sweep Shakhtar aside |publisher=UEFA |date=5 March 2013 | access-date = 6 March 2013}}
On 2 June 2013, Błaszczykowski signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, keeping him at the club until 2018.{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11899/8755589/Transfer-news-Jakub-Blaszczykowski-signs-five-year-deal-with-Borussia-Dortmund|title=Transfer news: Jakub Blaszczykowski signs five-year deal with Borussia Dortmund|date=3 June 2013|access-date=3 June 2013|publisher=SkySports}} On 27 July 2013, Błaszczykowski won the 2013 DFL-Supercup with Dortmund 4–2 against rivals Bayern Munich.{{cite web|url=http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2013/0000262446.php |title=Dortmund prevail over Bayern in Supercup thriller |publisher=bundesliga.com |date=27 July 2013 |access-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106163106/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/tournaments/news/2013/0000262446.php |archive-date= 6 November 2013 }} On 26 October 2013, Błaszczykowski scored a goal for Dortmund in the Revierderby against rivals Schalke in a 3–1 win for Dortmund.{{cite web | title = Dortmund trump Schalke in Ruhr derby | url = http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2013/0000275331.php | publisher = bundesliga.com | date = 26 October 2013 | access-date = 30 October 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029045601/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2013/0000275331.php | archive-date = 29 October 2013 | df = dmy-all }}
=Fiorentina (loan)=
On 31 August 2015, Błaszczykowski joined Fiorentina for a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund.{{cite web | title = Jakub Blaszczykowski joins Fiorentina on one-year loan from Dortmund | url = http://www.espnfc.com/story/2591169/jakub-blaszczykowski-joins-fiorentina-on-loan-from-dortmund | publisher = ESPN | date = 31 August 2015 | access-date = 31 August 2015}}
=VfL Wolfsburg=
On 1 August 2016, Błaszczykowski joined VfL Wolfsburg on a three-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/2921274/jakub-blaszczykowski-leaves-borussia-dortmund-for-wolfsburg|title=Jakub Blaszczykowski leaves Borussia Dortmund for Wolfsburg | date=1 August 2016 | access-date=1 August 2016 | first = Stefan | last = Buczko}} In January 2019, his contract with Wolfsburg was dissolved.{{cite web | url = https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/en/news-detail/news-detail/detail/news/intense-days-ahead/ | title = Intense days ahead | website = VfL Wolfsburg | date = 3 January 2019 | access-date = 13 January 2019}}{{cite web | url = https://www.goal.com/de/meldungen/rueckkehr-polen-vfl-wolfsburg-vertrag-blaszczykowski/a93nv7t9obeo18ekohldgm4j7 | title = Rückkehr nach Polen: VfL Wolfsburg löst Vertrag mit Jakub Blaszczykowski auf | trans-title = Return to Poland: VfL Wolfsburg dissolves contract with Jakub Blaszczykowski | language = de | website = goal.com | date = 3 January 2019 | access-date = 13 January 2019}}{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/kuba-will-umsonst-fuer-wisla-krakau-spielen---und-310-000-euro-leihen-739892/artikel | title = "Kuba" will umsonst für Wisla Krakau spielen - und 310.000 Euro leihen | trans-title = "Kuba" wants to play for free for Wisła Kraków - and lend 310,000 Euro | language = de | website = Kicker | date = 12 January 2019 | access-date = 13 January 2019}}
=Return to Wisła Kraków=
On 7 February 2019, Błaszczykowski rejoined former club Wisła Kraków on a free transfer. In April 2020, he became part owner of the club. He missed most of the 2021–22 and 2022–23 campaigns after suffering a torn ACL in November 2021.{{cite web |date=2 September 2021 |title=Kontuzja Jakuba Błaszczykowskiego |trans-title=Injury of Jakub Błaszczykowski |url=http://www.90minut.pl/news/314/news3144784-Kontuzja-Jakuba-Blaszczykowskiego.html |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=90minut.pl |language=pl}} On 20 July 2023, on the eve of the 2023–24 season, Błaszczykowski announced his retirement from professional football, at age 37.{{cite web |date=20 July 2023 |title=Jakub Błaszczykowski ogłosił zakończenie kariery |trans-title=Jakub Błaszczykowski announced his retirement from football. |url=https://eurosport.tvn24.pl/pilka-nozna/jakub-blaszczykowski-oglosil-zakonczenie-kariery_sto9710352/story.shtml |website=eurosport.tvn24.pl |language=pl}}
International career
File:Jakub Błaszczykowski4.jpg in 2011]]
Błaszczykowski debuted for the Poland national team on 28 March 2006 in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news |last=Czykel |first=Robert |date=16 June 2023 |title=Mecz został wstrzymany. Zobacz, jak zachowali się piłkarze |trans-title=The match was suspended. See how the players reacted. |url=https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/pilka-nozna/1065906/niezapomniany-moment-tak-pilkarze-pozegnali-blaszczykowskiego |website=Sportowe Fakty |publisher=Wirtualna Polska |language=pl}} He was not selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup due to injury.{{cite web|title=Janas: Błaszczykowski i Janczyk mogli jechać na mundial|url=http://www.pilka.pl/janas-blaszczykowski-i-janczyk-mogli-jechac-na-mundial|publisher=pilka.pl|access-date=13 June 2012|language=pl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226115954/http://www.pilka.pl/janas-blaszczykowski-i-janczyk-mogli-jechac-na-mundial|archive-date=26 December 2013}} He scored his first goal for Poland on 22 August 2007 in a friendly against Russia.{{cite news | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/22/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Russia-Poland.php | title = Poland rallies to draw 2–2 with Russia in friendly match ahead of key Euro 2008 qualifiers|website=International Herald Tribune|date = 22 August 2008 |agency = Associated Press | access-date =13 October 2008}} 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.{{cite news | last = Milosavljevic | first = Zoran | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL0508590920080605 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130104141749/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL0508590920080605 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 January 2013 | title = Blaszczykowski out of finals|website=Reuters|date = 5 June 2008|access-date =13 October 2008}} On 17 November 2010, in a friendly match against Ivory Coast, Błaszczykowski made his debut as captain of the Poland national team.{{Cite news|title=Słonie upolowane! Polska 3–1 WKS|url=https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/pilka-nozna/euro-2012/slonie-upolowane-polska-wks-31/blgnerh|website=Onet.pl|date=17 November 2010|access-date=4 June 2024|language=pl}}
=UEFA Euro 2012=
File:Jakub Błaszczykowski5.jpg in 2013]]
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.{{cite web|title='Kuba' crowned for captain's performance|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/man-of-the-match-award/md=2/match=2003327/index.html|publisher=UEFA|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615200105/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/man-of-the-match-award/md=2/match=2003327/index.html|archive-date=15 June 2012|url-status=dead}}
=2014 FIFA World Cup qualification=
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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/biblioteka/mecze/czarnogora-polska-22-07092012 |language=pl |title=Czarnogóra 1:5 Polska |website=laczynaspilka.pl |access-date=30 June 2024}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/biblioteka/mecze/san-marino-polska-15-10092013 |language=pl |title=San Marino 1:5 Polska |website=laczynaspilka.pl |access-date=30 June 2024}}
=Euro 2016=
File:1 Jakub Błaszczykowski.jpg
During nearly half of the qualifying campaign, Błaszczykowski was out of the national squad due to injury.{{Cite web |author=Tomasz Włodarczyk |date=10 September 2014 |title=Znowu padł ofiarą pecha. Błaszczykowski kontuzjowany. Nie zagra z Niemcami i Szkocją! |trans-title=He fell victim to bad luck again. Błaszczykowski injured. He will not play against Germany and Scotland! |url=https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/pilka-nozna/bundesliga/znowu-padl-ofiara-pecha-blaszczykowski-kontuzjowany-nie-zagra-z-niemcami-i-szkocja/9exw761 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=onet.pl |language=pl}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/biblioteka/mecze/polska-gibraltar-81-07092015 |language=pl |title=Polska 8:1 Gibraltar |website=laczynaspilka.pl |access-date=30 June 2024}}
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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/biblioteka/mecze/szwajcaria-polska-11-k-45-25062016 |language=pl |title=Szwajcaria 1:1 Polska |website=laczynaspilka.pl |access-date=30 June 2024}} 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.{{Cite web |date=1 July 2016 |title=Błąd podczas rzutów karnych. Mecz Polska-Portugalia do powtórki? |trans-title=Error during the penalty shootout. Will the Poland vs Portugal match be replayed? |url=https://sport.wprost.pl/euro-2016/10013491/internauta-wypatrzyl-blad-podczas-karnych-w-meczu.html |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=wprost.pl |language=pl}}
=2018 FIFA World Cup and beyond=
Błaszczykowski was selected for the final 23-man Poland squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,{{cite news |url=https://www.pzpn.pl/reprezentacje/reprezentacja-a/aktualnosci/2018-06-04/sklad-reprezentacji-polski-na-mistrzostwa-swiata-2018 |title=Skład reprezentacji Polski na mistrzostwa świata 2018|trans-title=The composition of the Poland national team for the 2018 World Cup|website=Polish Football Association|date=4 June 2018|access-date=21 March 2023|language=pl}} but played only in the first game, a 2–1 defeat to Senegal in which he came off as a substitute at half-time.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
Błaszczykowski scored on his record-breaking 103rd Poland cap, a 3–2 defeat to Portugal in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45831221 | title = Nations League: Poland 2-3 Portugal - Bernardo Silva scores stunning goal | website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date = 11 October 2018 | access-date = 21 March 2023}}
On 16 June 2023, almost four years after his last call-up in the team, Błaszczykowski was called up for a friendly match against Germany at National Stadium. He started his farewell game as a captain and left the pitch in the 16th minute to a guard of honor from both teams.{{cite web|url=https://tvpworld.com/70611393/football-poland-victorious-over-germany-in-blaszczykowskis-last-match |title=Football: Poland victorious over Germany in Błaszczykowski's last match|website=TVP World|publisher=Telewizja Polska|date=16 June 2023 |last1=s. a |first1=Telewizja Polska }} Błaszczykowski retired the following month.
Personal life
As a child, Błaszczykowski witnessed a family tragedy which had a major influence on his life. In September 1996, when he was 10 years old, his father, who abused alcohol, stabbed his mother to death. After his father went to prison, he and his older brother, Dawid, were raised by their grandmother.
He briefly gave up football, but with the encouragement of his uncle, Jerzy Brzęczek, a former captain of the Poland national football team, he decided to resume training at Raków Częstochowa two months later. Błaszczykowski has credited his successes to his grandmother. 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. Their daughter, Oliwia, was born in 2011. Their second daughter, Lena, was born in 2014. He is a devout Catholic who reads the Bible on a daily basis, prays often, and participates in the Nie wstydzę się Jezusa (Polish for "I am not ashamed of Jesus") project.{{Cite web |last=Milik |first=Arkadiusz |date=2022-04-24 |title=9club |url=https://9club.store/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=9club.store}} In 2024, he was the subject of a documentary film entitled Kuba, which premiered on 23 February on Prime Video.{{Cite web |url=https://sport.tvp.pl/76026915/kuba-film-o-jakubie-blaszczykowskim-2024-kiedy-premiera |language=pl |title="Kuba" – film o Jakubie Błaszczykowskim (2024). Kiedy premiera? |website=sport.tvp.pl |date=20 February 2024 |access-date=9 April 2024}} On 7 September 2024, a special Borussia Dortmund legends farewell match was held in order to pay tribute to Błaszczykowski and his compatriot Łukasz Piszczek who helped shape some of the most successful years in the club's history between 2010 and 2015. The match was overseen by former club coach Jürgen Klopp and attracted over 81,000 spectators at the Signal Iduna Park. The match ended in a 5-4 victory of the Błaszczykowski team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/jurgen-klopp-borussia-dortmund-lukasz-piszczek-jakub-blaszczykowski-testimonial-28816 |title=Jürgen Klopp oversees goal-filled Borussia Dortmund testimonial for Łukasz Piszczek and Jakub Błaszczykowski |website=bundesliga.com |date=7 September 2024 |access-date=8 September 2024}}
Career statistics
=Club=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2013-14/37612/vereinsspieler_jakub-blaszczykowski.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150805184759/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2013-14/37612/vereinsspieler_jakub-blaszczykowski.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 August 2015 | title = Jakub Blaszczykowski | language = de | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 11 January 2015}}{{cite web | url = http://www.90minut.pl/kariera.php?id=6381 | title = Jakub Błaszczykowski | language = pl | publisher = 90minut.pl | access-date = 11 January 2015}} | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|KS Częstochowa
|2002–03 |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2003–04
|III liga |13 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 5 | ||||
| 2004–05
|III liga |9 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 6 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!24 | 11 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 11 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Wisła Kraków
|11 | 1 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 2 | |||
| 2005–06
|Ekstraklasa |17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07
|Ekstraklasa |23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 3 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!51 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 67 | 5 | ||
| rowspan="9"|Borussia Dortmund
|24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | |||
| 2008–09
|Bundesliga |27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 3 | ||
| 2009–10
|Bundesliga |32 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 1 | |||
| 2010–11
|Bundesliga |29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2011–12
|Bundesliga |29 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 7 | |
| 2012–13
|Bundesliga |27 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=GSC|Appearance in DFL-Supercup}} | 0 | 41 | 14 | |
| 2013–14
|Bundesliga |16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=GSC}} | 0 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2014–15
|Bundesliga |13 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!197 | 27 | 21 | 2 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 253 | 32 | |
| Fiorentina (loan)
|15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="4"|VfL Wolfsburg
|Bundesliga |28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|Bundesliga |9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=BRP|Appearance(s) in Bundesliga relegation play-offs}} | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2018–19
|Bundesliga |1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!38 | 1 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 45 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="6"|Wisła Kraków
|Ekstraklasa |8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 5 | |||
| 2019–20
|Ekstraklasa |22 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 7 | |||
| 2020–21
|Ekstraklasa |16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 4 | |||
| 2021–22
|Ekstraklasa |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!50 | 16 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 16 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!375 | 60 | 33 | 4 | 47 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 459 | 67 |
{{Notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=26108|title=Jakub Błaszczykowski|website=EU-Football.info|date=14 July 2018}} | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="18"|Poland
|2006 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 109 | 21 |
:Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Błaszczykowski goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Jakub Błaszczykowski | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 22 August 2007 | Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia | {{fb|RUS}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 | Friendly |
| align="center"|2 | 11 October 2008 | Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland | {{fb|CZE}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|3 | 3 March 2010 | Kazimierz Sosnkowski Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | {{fb|BUL}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|4 | 9 October 2010 | Soldier Field, Chicago, United States | {{fb|USA}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 | Friendly |
| align="center"|5 | 10 August 2011 | Zagłębie Stadium, Lubin, Poland | {{fb|GEO}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|6 | 6 September 2011 | Arena Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland | {{fb|GER}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|2–2 | Friendly |
| align="center"|7 | 7 October 2011 | Seoul Olympic Stadium, Seoul, South Korea | {{fb|KOR}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 | Friendly |
| align="center"|8 | 11 October 2011 | BRITA-Arena, Wiesbaden, Germany | {{fb|BLR}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|9 | 2 June 2012 | Polish Army Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | {{fb|AND}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"|4–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|10 | 12 June 2012 | National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | {{fb|RUS}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–1 | UEFA Euro 2012 |
| align="center"|11 | 7 September 2012 | Podgorica Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | {{fb|MNE}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|12 | 11 September 2012 | Wrocław Stadium, Wrocław, Poland | {{fb|MDA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|13 | 7 June 2013 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | {{fb|MDA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|14 | 10 September 2013 | Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino | {{fb|SMR}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|5–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|15 | 7 September 2015 | National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | {{fb|GIB}} | align="center"|6–0 | align="center"|8–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
| align="center"|16 | 23 March 2016 | Poznań Stadium, Poznań, Poland | {{fb|SER}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|17 | 21 June 2016 | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France | {{fb|UKR}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| align="center"|18 | 25 June 2016 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France | {{fb|SUI}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| align="center"|19 | 5 October 2017 | Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia | {{fb|ARM}} | align="center"|4–1 | align="center"|6–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|20 | 12 June 2018 | National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | {{fb|LTU}} | align="center"|4–0 | align="center"|4–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|21 | 11 October 2018 | Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland | {{fb|POR}} | align="center"|2–3 | align="center"|2–3 | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A |
Honours
- Bundesliga: 2010–11, 2011–12
- DFB-Pokal: 2011–12
- DFL-Supercup: 2008, 2013
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2012–13
Individual
- Ekstraklasa Midfielder of the Year: 2006
- Ekstraklasa Best XI: 2006–07{{cite web|title=Wyniki I Plebiscytu PZP|url=http://www.pzp.info.pl/aktualnosci/80/wyniki_wyborow/|publisher=pzp.info.pl|access-date=14 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221224438/http://www.pzp.info.pl/aktualnosci/80/wyniki_wyborow/|archive-date=21 February 2014}}
- Polish Footballer of the Year: 2008,{{cite web | url = http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2012/0000258173.php | title = Ten things about Jakub Blaszczykowski | publisher = bundesliga.com | date = 23 June 2013 | access-date = 11 January 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150513093516/http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2012/0000258173.php | archive-date = 13 May 2015 | df = dmy-all }} 2010
- Polish Footballer of the Year by Polish Footballers' Association: 2010{{cite web |title=Wyniki plebiscytu na najlepszych zawodników 2010 roku |trans-title=Results of the poll for the best players of 2010. |url=http://www.pzpn.pl/index.php/Federacja/Aktualnosci/Wyniki-plebiscytu-na-najlepszych-zawodnikow-2010-roku |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908060059/http://www.pzpn.pl/index.php/Federacja/Aktualnosci/Wyniki-plebiscytu-na-najlepszych-zawodnikow-2010-roku |archive-date=8 September 2012 |access-date=16 June 2012 |publisher=pzpn.pl}}
- Poland national football team's Best Player: 2010
- Footballer of the Year by the readers of "Sport": 2008,{{cite web |title=Kuba Błaszczykowski wygrał plebiscyt Sportu |trans-title=Kuba Błaszczykowski won the *Sport* poll. |url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80369,6098258.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716055541/http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/Wiadomosci/1,80369,6098258.html |archive-date=16 July 2012 |access-date=31 August 2011 |publisher=gazeta.pl}} 2010{{cite web |title=Jakub Błaszczykowski wygrał plebiscyt "Sportu" |trans-title=Jakub Błaszczykowski won the "Sport" newspaper poll. |url=http://www.sportowefakty.pl/pilka-nozna/2010/12/24/jakub-blaszczykowski-wygral-plebiscyt-sportu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229034334/http://www.sportowefakty.pl/pilka-nozna/2010/12/24/jakub-blaszczykowski-wygral-plebiscyt-sportu/ |archive-date=29 December 2010 |access-date=31 August 2011 |publisher=sportowefakty.pl}}
- Borussia Dortmund Player of the Year: 2008{{cite web |last1=Kbugajska |first1=AS |title=Kuba piłkarzem roku Borussii! |trans-title=Kuba named Borussia's Player of the Year! |url=http://sport.interia.pl/pilka-nozna/ligi-zagraniczne/niemiecka/news/kuba-pilkarzem-roku-borussii,1247822 |access-date=31 August 2011 |publisher=sport.interia.pl}}
- Ekstraklasa Player of the Month: March 2019{{cite web |date=10 April 2019 |title=Błaszczykowski doceniony. Został piłkarzem miesiąca |trans-title=Błaszczykowski appreciated. He was named Player of the Month. |url=https://sport.tvp.pl/42143354/ekstraklasa-jakub-blaszczykowski-pilkarzem-marca |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=sport.tvp.pl |language=pl}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite news | last = Leniarski | first = Radosław | url = http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,5284884,Kuba_Blaszczykowski__Siedem_pechow_Kuby.html | title = Kuba Błaszczykowski: Siedem pechów Kuby | date = 6 June 2008 | work = Gazeta Wyborcza | access-date =6 June 2009 | language = pl}}
{{cite news | url = https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOGx2xE-vHA1jZIr2nTuIRd9miJw?docId=CNG.aa4521a3d1dc6585e08c909709309cb1.681 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120614035520/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOGx2xE-vHA1jZIr2nTuIRd9miJw?docId=CNG.aa4521a3d1dc6585e08c909709309cb1.681 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 June 2012 | title = Unassuming Kuba is Poland's captain fantastic | first = Jonathan | last = Fowler | work = Agence France-Presse | date = 13 June 2012 }}
}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{FIFA player}}
- {{90minut}}
- {{Fussballdaten}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Poland squads
| bg = white
| fg = crimson
| bordercolor = crimson
| list1 =
{{Poland squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{Poland squad UEFA Euro 2016}}
{{Poland squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Polish Footballer of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blaszczykowski, Jakub}}
Category:Polish Roman Catholics
Category:Footballers from Częstochowa
Category:Polish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
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