Robert Lewandowski's new biography has caused a stir in the football world. It recounts an extraordinary incident that the Polish striker had not experienced in his 15-year professional career.
In the spring of 2023, after a training session, Barcelona’s management called Lewandowski aside and told him, "We want you to stop scoring goals in the remaining matches." The reason behind this request was straightforward: Lewandowski’s contract with Bayern Munich included a clause that stipulated a €2.5 million bonus if he scored 25 goals. At that time, Lewandowski had already scored 23 goals, Barcelona had secured the league championship, and he was on the verge of claiming the La Liga top scorer title.
However, due to Barcelona's financial difficulties, they requested the striker to refrain from scoring. According to the biography's author, Sebastian Staszewski, Lewandowski was left in shock by this demand.
The striker had built his career on scoring goals, relying on his instincts on the pitch. Barcelona was in the midst of a financial crisis, burdened with more than €1.3 billion in overall debt.
To this day, the Catalonian club still owes €20 million to Bayern Munich for Lewandowski's transfer. This incident sheds light on Barcelona's current economic state: a club with a storied history but forced to compromise the fundamental role of its star forward.
Lewandowski recently stated at a press conference that he is enjoying reading his biography. However, one can only imagine the emotions this episode evoked in him: pride or regret?
According to insider Fabrizio Romano, Lewandowski has no plans to leave Barcelona in the winter transfer window and is focused on future victories. His contract runs until 2026, which may be for the best.
Asking a player not to score creates an environment that could be damaging for any footballer.
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