Ex Celtic striker Patryk Klimala was showered with missiles after scoring the opener in a powderkeg Aussie derby over the weekend.
But that hostility was water off a duck’s back to a man who once chased a burglar from his own home with a knife – while NAKED. The Polish frontman scored three times in just 28 appearances at Celtic between January 2020 and April 2021 after being brought to the club by Neil Lennon. He left for MLS side New York Red Bulls after a year ravaged by the Covid lockdown, and later went on to feature for Hapoel be’er Sheeva in Israel before landing at his current home – FC Sydney in Australia.
He’s a hero Down Under with ten goals in 20 appearances, most recently scoring the opener in a 3-3 derby thriller with Western Sydney Wanderers, which he celebrated in front of the away fans before being pelted by missiles for his troubles.
But an angry band of punters in the away end was nothing compared to chasing a burglar out of his home during his time in Israel. To make matters even more dramatic, he did it with a knife – and in the buff. Klimala, now 26 and playing some of the best football of his career, told GiveMeSport: “The second night I was there (in Israel), I didn’t sleep at all because of the time difference.
“One moment I heard some sounds — like someone smashed through my door. I didn’t react, I thought maybe it’s somebody outside. Then I heard the balcony doors open. I opened my door to see into the living room and I see a man in a black mask and all black clothing. The guy is stealing my things. My watches, my wedding ring, my wallet, everything he could take, he stole.
“Earlier, I was cutting the laces on my boots. I always do that with new boots, but I had a knife next to my bed from that. So I picked up the knife and ran after him. If anyone knows Israel, the streets are small. If you don’t know the area, you have no possibility to catch the guy. I ran after him and didn’t catch him.
“The funny thing — man, it’s weird to say funny — but I was running after him completely naked. It took me four or five minutes to figure out how to get back to my house because it was new. I called the police.”