An ode to Robert Lewandowski, the striker who put Barcelona 'back where they belong'

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyCommentaryAn ode to Robert Lewandowski, the striker who put Barcelona ‘back where they belong’Robert Lewandowski won three La Liga titles with Barcelona Eric Alonso via Getty Images Share articleWhen Barcelona signed Robert Lewandowski in the summer of 2022, it raised plenty of questions. The Catalans were bringing in a 33-year-old striker who was arguably past his prime on a four-year deal. They paid Bayern Munich an initial €45million ($52m; £39m) for the Poland international at a time of financial strife, despite the veteran only having a year left on his deal. Lewandowski had won almost everything there was to win. He had been the Bundesliga’s top scorer for seven years in a row and only Gerd Muller had scored more than his 344 goals in a Bayern shirt. But there were no shortage of people in football who saw Lewandowski’s move to Barca as one last paycheck in a glittering career. Four years later, the 37-year-old is leaving Barcelona as one of the best strikers in their modern history. There is a case to be made that he is behind other legendary forwards such as Luis Suarez and Samuel Eto’o because of a lack of European silverware. But Lewandowski has done something special. He arrived when Barca were lost and did not know where they were headed. Today, as he wrote in his farewell Instagram post, “Barca is back where it belongs”. In his four seasons in Spain, Lewandowski has won three La Liga titles — more than Cristiano Ronaldo during his nine campaigns at Real Madrid. You can add a Copa del Rey and three Supercopas de Espana to that trophy collection. Then there is his ridiculous goal return: 119 goals in 191 games, putting him in Barca’s top 15 scorers of all time, along with 24 assists. There is a lot to praise about his character given the challenge he accepted. Lewandowski joined the year after Barca had lost their all-time top scorer Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The club had navigated a difficult 2021-22 season in which even qualifying for the Champions League was seen as a success. Club president Joan Laporta believed Barca lacked a marketable star, a franchise player who the club could pin their hopes on — on the pitch but commercially, too. Laporta explored the market and, as soon as he realised Lewandowski was a possibility, did not hesitate. He was unveiled in Barcelona in August 2022. More than 57,000 fans attended the event at the Camp Nou, the kind of expectation only star signings of the past such as Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry generated. It did not take long for him to make an impact — Barca won La Liga in his debut season, in which Lewandowski was the top scorer with 23 goals. A run of 13 goals in his first 12 league games set the tone and ensured his side won silverware for the first time since Messi’s exit. In his press conference before Sunday’s game against Real Betis — Lewandowski’s last at the Camp Nou — head coach Hansi Flick highlighted his leadership and mentoring of young players. “It has been a privilege to work with him,” the German said. “He is a professional player of the highest level. Every day he does the best for his body, to be at the highest level. He is a perfect role model for younger players and this mentality is the reason why he can play here now.” His intelligence to adapt to a new era has perhaps been undervalued. Lewandowski’s second season at the club ended without any trophies, but saw the emergence of one of the best youth generations in the club’s history. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi broke into the first-team in 2023-24; the unprecedented rise of Yamal made Barca reconsider their attack. Lewandowski was mature enough to see what was happening, the talent Barca had at their disposal and what was needed to best help the team. Since Flick’s appointment in 2024, Lewandowski has never been the team’s main star in attack; Yamal, Pedri and even Raphinha have taken on more responsibility. But they would not have won the trophies they have done over the past two seasons without him. Now feels like the right time for both sides to go their separate ways. The forward leaves having been an important part of the team in a La Liga-winning season, while the club are able to think about his long-term replacement. Flick has involved Lewandowski less and less in his starting line-up this season — 14 of his 29 league appearances have been from the bench. “It’s his decision to move now, but it can be good for him and also for the club so we can restructure the team a little bit,” Flick added. Barca have a desired succession plan in mind, with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as their top priority this summer. Behind him, Joao Pedro of Chelsea and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen are other forwards being monitored by sporting director Deco. It remains to be seen whether Barca can persuade any of them to join — and if they can afford them. It is understood Chelsea are not willing to entertain any offers for Joao Pedro, for instance. Offloading Lewandowski also takes one of the squad’s biggest wages off the books, although this will hardly have any impact on their La Liga-imposed salary limit. Lewandowski’s contract had not been factored into next season’s planning, given it expires on June 30, so it will not represent any kind of saving on their budget for the 2026-27 season. Barca are still operating above their limit, making it hard for them to operate normally in the transfer market. As for Lewandowski’s future, the next few weeks should be key in revealing his next step, although the striker hinted at what might follow in an interview with Polish TV station Eleven Sports last week. “There is the option of going to a league of a lower level,” he said. “I am almost 38 (he will turn that age in August) but I feel fine physically and I am considering it. This might be the time to play and enjoy life.” The Athletic previously reported interest from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire while sources from the player’s camp — who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — say Saudi Pro League sides would like to sign him. He is unlikely to be short of options. And, if he intends to return to Catalonia when he is finished, he will be warmly welcomed back as the club legend he is. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms