Analysis: Robert Lewandowski Chasing History at Barcelona

Today, Lewandowski is leading the line for Barcelona and demonstrating why he is one of the greatest centre-forwards to have stepped foot on a football pitch. Lewandowski’s first season under Hansi Flick would see him become just the second player in football history after Johan Cruyff to win a European treble whilst finishing as the top scorer in all three competitions. His second season under Flick would see him break Gerd Muller’s 49-year record and finish with the most goals in a single Bundesliga season. Lewandowski spent the following season under the watchful eye of Julian Nagelsmann before departing Germany and arriving at Barcelona in the summer of 2022.

Having joined for €50m including add-ons, Lewandowski became the most expensive Polish player of all time as well as Bayern’s most expensive sale of all time. It didn’t take long for him to justify that price tag, finishing as the top scorer in LaLiga and guiding them to their first league title in four years. After two seasons under Xavi Hernandez, Lewandowski reunited with Flick in the summer of 2024, starting as he meant to continue by grabbing four goals and an assist in his first four matches. He started to regain his confidence and find the back of the net for fun, including a brace vs. Real Madrid and a goal against his former club Bayern Munich.

Whilst his pace has declined somewhat, Lewandowski’s poaching instinct, formidable heading ability, and balance continue to make him a well-rounded forward. He can contribute not just as a scorer, but as someone who can hold the ball up with his back to goal, link up with other players, and create space for his teammates. Capable of finishing with either foot and generating a powerful shot with his first touch, Lewandowski’s attacking profile has been on display for his entire career. Even if he isn’t banging in the goals for Poland anymore (his last non-penalty goal for them came in November 2023), he’s still firing on all cylinders for his club.

“There were times with the national team where he was incredible, but now, he’s finding it hard carrying the team, even though he’s still scoring goals and leading LaLiga’s top scorers chart,” stated Polish-born USMNT international Janusz Michallik. “However, there’s still that casual fan who believes that Lewandowski is going to carry the Poland national team, which obviously hasn’t been the case in a long time.”

“Lewandowski needs the other players to put in the service and create chances for him, which isn’t happening at the moment,” added Michallik, who works as a football pundit for ESPN as well as Poland’s TVP Sport.

Whereas Lewandowski often has to do it all by himself for Poland, he’s provided with top-quality service from the likes of Pedri, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal at Barcelona. He doesn’t have to focus so much on generating chances for himself and can instead concentrate his energy on getting on the end of crosses and through balls. It’s worked a treat this season, with Lewandowski leading La Liga for Expected Goals (20.45), goal contributions (22), and scoring frequency (one goal every 92 minutes). He’s also missed 17 big chances, which, despite provoking the ire of many Blaugranas supporters, just goes to show that his form is indeed sustainable.

As he approaches 37 years of age, time has likely run out on Lewandowski’s quest to win the most coveted individual trophy in football. However, he has the chance to make history in his own right and leave a mark that will never be wiped off. Having missed out on last season’s Golden Boot to Artem Dovbyk, Lewandowski is on track to claim his second Pichichi in three years. The Polish striker has racked up 20 goals thus far, three above second-placed Kylian Mbappe. If he can finish atop the scoring charts, he will surpass Messi as the player with the most top scorer awards in Europe’s top five leagues (nine). Having scored in each of his last three La Liga matches, Lewandowski is in a quiet but determined pursuit of this achievement, and adding yet another remarkable feat to an already legendary career.