In a revelation that has left the football world stunned, a new biography claims that Barcelona once asked Robert Lewandowski not to score goals—a request almost unimaginable for one of the greatest strikers of his generation. The incident reportedly took place during the 2022–23 season, Lewandowski’s first campaign after his high-profile switch from Bayern Munich to the Catalan giants.
Lewandowski had settled into Spanish football with remarkable ease. By the latter stages of the season, Barcelona had already secured the La Liga title under Xavi Hernández, and the Polish forward was well ahead in the race for the Pichichi Trophy. With 23 league goals to his name and two matches remaining, he looked certain to finish as the league’s top scorer.
Yet, according to journalist Sebastian Staszewski, author of the newly released biography “Lewandowski: The Real One,” the club summoned the striker to a meeting with senior officials. To his astonishment, he was asked to limit his scoring for the remainder of the campaign. The reason, as bizarre as it sounds, was not tactical—it was financial.
Barcelona were under severe economic strain at the time and were desperately trying to control expenditure. A specific clause in their transfer agreement with Bayern Munich set up a costly scenario:
if Lewandowski scored 25 league goals, Barcelona would be obligated to pay Bayern a €2.5 million performance-related bonus. With the league already won and the striker comfortably leading the scoring charts, the club reportedly saw no benefit in triggering that payment.
The request allegedly shocked Lewandowski. In a career spanning top clubs and countless trophies, no team had ever suggested he restrain himself from doing what he does best—scoring goals. However, the biography claims that the forward ultimately chose not to challenge the club’s position. He featured in both remaining matches and completed the full 90 minutes, but he did not add to his tally.
Despite this, Lewandowski still finished the season far ahead of his nearest rival, Karim Benzema, comfortably securing the Pichichi Trophy.
Key Contract Clause (As Reported)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Transfer clause | €2.5 million bonus to Bayern Munich |
| Trigger condition | Lewandowski scoring 25 La Liga goals in 2022–23 |
| Goals at time of request | 23 |
| Matches remaining | 2 |
| Club motivation | Avoiding financial payout due to economic crisis |
The episode adds yet another chapter to Barcelona’s ongoing financial challenges, which have influenced several of their transfer and wage-related decisions in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski remains a central figure at the club. In the current campaign, he has made a strong start with 7 goals in 9 league appearances, continuing to show his reliability in front of goal. His contract runs until June 2026, though reports in Spain suggest that Barcelona may choose not to extend the deal further, partly due to long-term financial planning.
Whether this latest revelation affects the club’s relationship with the striker remains to be seen, but the incident highlights just how unusual—and financially pressured—the modern football world has become.