Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski’s coy response to surprise Barcelona U-turn suggestion

The 37-year-old striker had looked set to leave Barcelona but president Joan Laporta wants Lewandowski to stay.

The 37-year-old striker had looked set to leave Barcelona but president Joan Laporta wants Lewandowski to stay.
Leszek Szymanski

Robert Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona ends on June 30. A few months ago, it looked like his time at the Spotify Camp Nou was coming to a close. But during the club’s recent presidential election, incoming president Joan Laporta repeatedly said he wants the Polish star to stay for at least one more season, praising the sacrifices Lewandowski made to join the club.

For now, Lewandowski, who will turn 38 this August, is keeping his next steps private. “I talked about this a while ago and nothing has changed since. I’m taking my time to decide what’s best for me. No decision has been made yet,” he said from Poland’s national team training camp.

International plans still on hold

Lewandowski also addressed his future with Poland. “Whatever happens, I’m not going to make any decision right now. I’m not ready. To be ready, you have to know. And I don’t know yet. It probably won’t happen soon. When I feel it’s the right moment, I’ll probably share it, but I don’t feel that yet. My opinion won’t change after one or two matches.”

Penalty duties and confidence

This season, Lewandowski has lost his spot as Barcelona’s main penalty taker after missing two of three attempts. The duties are now shared between Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Lewandowski explained that choosing the penalty taker comes down to confidence. “Of course, I’m always ready. But sometimes you feel less confident if you’ve played fewer minutes and don’t have the rhythm. In those cases, it’s better to pick the player who’s best for the team. Whoever feels most confident in a given match should take the penalties. I think it’s about confidence, not just the misses.”

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