Most athletes spend their careers perfecting one sport, but Pavel Podkolzin has just proven it’s never too late to rewrite the rules.
The former NBA center, once towering over the hardwood, has now stepped onto the football pitch — and in the process, claimed the title of the tallest professional footballer ever.
The Record-Breaking Debut
Standing at a staggering 7ft 4in (2.26m), Podkolzin made his first appearance for FC Amkal Moscow during their Russian Cup clash against FC Kaluga.
To put his height into perspective, he’s nearly a foot taller than England’s famously lanky striker Peter Crouch — and just 18 centimeters shy of the crossbar itself.
At 40 years old, Podkolzin had been retired from basketball since 2019, after a short stint in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks from 2004 to 2006.
But Amkal’s president, a former basketball teammate, convinced him to lace up his boots and give football a shot.
Adjusting to His New Sport
Walking out onto the pitch, Podkolzin had to duck through the tunnel before towering over teammates and opponents alike.
His debut was filled with eye-catching moments — a defensive clearance in his own box, an accidental deflection that nearly turned into a goal, and even a missed header that bounced awkwardly off his shoulder.
Despite not scoring, he admitted he was just happy to be part of it. “I’m playing in the Russian Cup and, honestly, I don’t know what to say.
I’m grateful for it. It’s a great opportunity to be in this sport,” he told Baja News.
Fans React to the Giant on the Pitch
Clips of Podkolzin’s debut quickly went viral online, leaving fans both stunned and amused.
One joked, “Man’s playing headers without jumping,” while another wondered aloud if he might actually be taller than Peter Crouch.
Though his heading technique still needs refining, his sheer presence on the field created a spectacle few could ignore.
Amkal’s Narrow Victory
The match itself was decided by midfielder David Papikyan, who netted the game’s only goal in the first half, sending Amkal through with a 1-0 win.
Podkolzin, meanwhile, was substituted later in the game, having made his mark at both ends of the pitch.
What Comes Next for Podkolzin
This unusual chapter in Podkolzin’s sporting journey isn’t over yet.
He’ll get another chance to test his football skills in the next round of the Russian Cup, when Amkal face Salyut-Belgorod on September 9.
At 40, and standing literally head and shoulders above everyone else, Podkolzin’s story is a reminder that sports can still surprise us — and sometimes, the tallest tales are the most entertaining.