Robert Lewandowski arrived at Barcelona when the Catalans were at their lowest. Two La Liga titles and 99 goals later, it’s definitely okay to say that his impact has been undeniable. But does a 36-year-old with just three seasons in Barcelona qualify as a legend? Let’s examine this fascinating debate.
Lewandowski’s Historic Impact at Barcelona
Some people say that statistics never lie. Others say numbers never tell the whole story, except when they do. The latter has been Lewandowski’s case. The Polish striker’s 99 goals in 143 games for Barca (a better rate than Samuel Eto’o) are staggering for a player who joined when he was 34.
He did not just fill the Suarez and Messi void. He brought leadership to the young side, helped drag Barca out of trophyless seasons, and won Pichichi. Some fans still criticise that these are ‘La Liga’ only, yet without him, would Barca have even won these? Especially in the 2023 La Liga win when literally no one else scored for Barca except him.
How Lewy Became Barça’s Leadership Pillar
Goals alone are not enough to be a Barca legend. Lewandowski has been a brilliant mentor to young Barca players. He mentored Gavi, Ferran Torres, and now Lamine Yamal. It was important for all the young and inexperienced Barca players to share the dressing room with a person who has won it all, and Lewandowski proved to be that person.
He has a habit of elevating his teammates, and even Luis Suarez admitted it was ‘next level’. Lewandowski has shown leadership in games, the dressing room, and also in real-life experiences. All Barca players love and respect him for this. So, for me, Lewandowski ticks this box too, which is necessary if he is to be called a legend.
No UCL No Legend Debate
Yes, the Champions League criteria is pretty fair. Lewandowski has failed to bring Barcelona the much-awaited prize, but if UCL trophies were the only metric, then Ronaldinho would not be a legend either (as he won one UCL in five years). The Pole striker scored 11 goals for Barca in the UCL this season and would have surely scored more if it weren’t for his untimely injury in the semi-finals.
Plus, Robert’s role at Barca has been entirely different. He came here when Barca needed him most. The Catalans were in a drought of goals, and the Polish goal machine has already scored 99. UCL is a necessary quota, but not just the only one.
Opinion Justification: Lewandowski is a Barcelona Legend
Lewandowski has checked most of the ‘legend status quota’ boxes with style, and for me, he is a Barca legend. He has been competing with the world’s best strikers like Kylian Mbappe and Haaland since joining Barca at 36. What more could he have done?
He has been an essential component of the transition phase at Barca and has saved the club from diverging into irrelevance. All of this is a status of a legend.