Robert Lewandowski, among many others, finds himself facing an uncertain future at Barcelona, with concerns about his age and salary rise creeping into the Barcelona headquarters.
However, ignoring the rumor brigade’s knack for creating stories, Lewandowski is focused on his current objectives and preparing for the upcoming campaign.
Answering questions for MARCA, the Polish striker reflected on a variety of topics related to his club.
Optimistic outlook
When asked what happened with Barcelona this season, Lewandowski replied that the team is aware they could have done better this season, but he feels confident about starting stronger next season.
“We know that we could and should have done better. But I have the feeling that we will start better next season, it is another new chapter.
“Everything that has happened is already over, although the Euro cup remains. In the team we have the feeling that we are ready to prepare for next season. We could have won a title this year, but in some phases of this season we had ups and downs.”
Having already won two titles with Barcelona, Lewandowski argues that the team has the potential to get back on track next season.
“And if you want to win titles you must always be at the same level, play the best football… We have potential, I am sure that next season we will play better,” he said.
Expectations from next season
Lewandowski claimed that his main desire is to compete for La Liga again in the 2024/2025 season.
“I hope to start fighting for La Liga. This season, Real Madrid never lost points, even when they didn’t play well. They only lost one game, I think, and they tied five or six. However, they won many games by scoring goals in the final minutes.
“If you want to win La Liga, you have to know how to win the games in which you are not good,” he remarked.
Commending Real Madrid’s ability to constantly acquire late-minute wins, the veteran striker hoped the Catalans could also grind out wins even on their rainy days.
“They, this year, did not lose the points even when they played badly, and this is the experience that we have to learn for next season: win the games even if we do not have our best day,” Lewandowski stated.
Not going anywhere
Talk of an exit has been doing the rounds, yet Lewandowski remains committed to the Blaugrana project. The 35-year-old claims he is not paying heed to any of the media chatter.
“There are many rumours about many things, there are all kinds of them. My mind is only on getting started and being ready with Barcelona next season, on taking a step forward in our game. It’s what I can say and what’s in my head,” he exclaimed.
On Barcelona’s youngsters
Lewandowski was asked whether he acts like an older brother to the Barcelona youngsters, to which the forward added that he also takes up a father-like approach to them.
“Not only as an older brother, but also as their father…. (laughs), I try to support and help them. But I also try to bring out of them the things that even they are not aware that they have and can offer.
“I push them to give a little bit more, because I see that they have a huge potential. They are amazing kids and they always want more and more. They should take advantage of the opportunities that the club gives them, which are not easy to have.“
Furthermore, Lewandowski professed that striking a balance between youth and experience will leapfrog the team to great heights, using Real Madrid’s example to strengthen his argument.
“Now, the expectations with them maybe are lower, but they must be ready for when more is demanded of them. They must believe they can do more. We have to find the perfect balance between the young players and the veterans because they can help them and the team in difficult moments.
“The season has many games and it cannot be so irregular, it cannot be that some games you play very well and in others, even if you don’t play badly, you lower your level.
“Look at Real Madrid, they have experienced players, like Kroos and Modric, Rüdiger and Courtois, and other young players, and if you want to be successful you have to look for the perfect balance,” he said.
On Mbappe’s imminent signing with Real Madrid
“It’s not official yet but it seems that all roads lead to Real Madrid. Fear? No, of course he is an incredible player and if he goes to Real Madrid, it will be a very strong team,” Lewandowski claimed.
The former Bayern Munich man added that despite the quality of Real Madrid’s players, cohesion and unity will help Barcelona go a long way in overcoming them.
“But our mentality has to be that no matter how good players you have, if we are a team and work together, we can beat you.
“We have to be ready from the first game and the first minutes because Real Madrid will surely need time, they will not play well at the beginning and lose points, and we have to take advantage of it. Not to catch them but to be ahead of them.
“Like two seasons ago, in which there were games that we couldn’t win but that we didn’t lose,” he commented.
Has Lewandowski missed Gavi?
Lewandowski and Gavi’s strong relationship on the pitch has been well documented by now and it is clear the team has struggled to emulate their past success without his presence.
Lewandowski acknowledged that his absence has taken a toll on the team due to his infectious spirit and ability to uplift others.
“From the beginning, we knew that we would miss him. He is the type of player who, when the game is not going well, with his movements and aggressiveness, lifts the team up.
“A squad needs these types of players and that is why we miss them. But we don’t have him, and now what we can do is wait for him to come back. He is a special player, since I arrived, I saw that he had something that the team needed.”
Lewandowski stated Gavi occasionally needs to be held back for his aggressiveness, but his character uplifts the team and he has the entire locker room’s affection.
“He has talent and aggressiveness. Sometimes you have to stop him, but other times he is the one who pulls the team and says ‘come on guys, let’s go’. He pushes. And he has a great personality, he is a very nice guy that everyone loves.
“I’m waiting for him, I want him to come back soon. But there is no need to pressure him, although, seeing how he is working, I am sure that everything will be fine,” he said.
On the Pichichi standings
Lewandowski confessed that his objective is to continue increasing his goal tally, as he intends to score more goals than in his first year at the club.
“Yes, in the last games we already knew that it was difficult to win. If not this year, next year. I’m sure that next season I’m going to score more goals than this one.
“My idea and my goal is to score more goals than in my first year at Barça. I know I’m ready and I can do it. Sure.“
