Robert Lewandowski answers questions during a press conference for the Polish national team. Photo = EPA Yonhap News
Robert Lewandowski (34, Poland), the top scorer in the German Bundesliga for five consecutive seasons and the most goalscorer in one season, announced a bombshell declaration that he wants to leave his current club, Bayern Munich.
According to local media such as the British BBC on the 31st (Korean time), Lewandowski said at a press conference after calling the Polish national team to participate in the UEFA Nations League, “What is certain is that my career at Bayern Munich is over”. “I don’t think there is any chance that I will continue to play for this club anymore,” he said. “I believe Bayern will not tie me up because I have a contract remaining. A transfer is the best solution.”
Lewandowski is one of the best strikers ever. He moved from Dortmund to Bayern Munich as a free agent in 2014, scoring 344 goals and 72 assists in 374 appearances since. He played consistently throughout eight seasons and was the top scorer for six consecutive seasons starting in the 2017-18 season, being the top scorer for five consecutive seasons.
In particular, in the 2021-22 season, he left a mark in history by breaking Gerd Muller’s record for most goals in a Bundesliga season (40 goals) with a total of 50 goals and 41 goals in the season. Bayern Munich, with Lewandowski in the lead, lifted the trophy eight times with him, and also took the top spot in the European Champions League (UCL) in the 2019-20 season.
He had one year left on his contract with Bayern Munich, but the intention to transfer rather than renew came first. He remained despite rumors of a transfer in the transfer market last year, but this year he publicly revealed his intention to transfer. If Bayern Munich sell him in the transfer market, the transfer fee he can receive is said to be around 34 million pounds (about 53 billion won). Germany’s ‘Bild’ magazine predicted that “Lewandowski has encouraged his move to Barcelona. He said he wants to leave the Bundesliga. The decision will not change.”
Reporter Cha Seung-yoon
