Robert Lewandowski looks rejuvenated lately. The Polish striker scored a clutch brace last Sunday against Celta Vigo, allowing his team to gather three points.
Some might say that age is just a number, but it does not change that football players reach their peak level when approaching 26 rather than 36… Nevertheless, Robert Lewandowski keeps doing what he does best: finding the back of the net regularly.
After having opened the score with a brilliant move, Lewy was called upon in the additional time of a dramatic match ending. Just a few seconds before the final whistle, Barcelona was awarded a penalty. The Polish number 9 shot it, but it had to be repeated to due to a trespassing of the line by Celta Vigo’s goalkeeper. The second strike finished in the back of the net by Lewandowski and ensured the three points for the Catalans.
This last goal was not only of crucial importance for the team but also represented a symbolic individual achievement. By scoring his 50th goal for Barça, he took over France’s legend Thierry Henry, who left Catalonia with 49 goals. Lewy is just 10 goals shy of another great legend of the game: Johan Cruyff.
At 35, Lewy is currently the third most efficient player in Spain’s La Liga with 12 goals and 5 assists. Only Real Madrid’s 20-year-old Jude Bellingham (16 goals and 3 assists) and Girona’s 26-year-old Artem Dovbyk (14 goals and 5 assists) have been more efficient than the Pole in the Spanish league so far. During the 2022/2023 season, Lewandowski emerged as the top scorer in both La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
Apart from Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski stands out as the only active player with over 600 professional career goals. His international record is equally remarkable, with 82 goals in 146 appearances for Poland, making him the country’s leading scorer. He aims to not only reach the milestone of 100 international goals, but also to guide Poland to qualification for Euro 2024 during the upcoming playoffs.
Following a challenging qualification campaign, Poland must overcome two opponents to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament. Their journey begins on 21 March against Estonia, with a potential match against either Wales or Finland looming thereafter in the case of victory.
This season, Lewandowski’s aspirations extended to winning La Liga with Barcelona. However, Barcelona is currently 12 points behind its historical rival and is virtually out of the title race at this point. It is therefore in the Champions League that the Blaugranas hope to be successful. On Wednesday 21 February, FC Barcolana will be playing Napoli in the first of two matches for a place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition.
Catalan fans will count on Lewandowski to show what he is capable of in such high-stakes situations. The Champions League represents another opportunity for the Varsovian to etch his name in history, as he currently stands as the third-highest scorer in the tournament’s history with 92 goals.
Image: X (@FCBarcelona)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
