Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe dominated this season, but the narratives for both of them diverge sharply. That’s because one of them is a 36-year-old defying time and age. The other is a global superstar riding the hype of his debut season with Real Madrid. The statistics tell one story, but some interesting contexts tell another. Let’s break it down.
Lewandowski’s Elite Mentality Beats Mbappé’s Pace
At 36, Lewandowski should not be equalling Europe’s golden boy yet here we are. The Barcelona center-forward has scored 42 goals this season, and so has Mbappe. However, Lewandowski has played four fewer games than the Frenchman. He also suffered a knee injury at a pivotal point in the season, which disrupted the Pole’s rythym.
Mbappe relies on blistering speed and his youthful energy to make his mark, but Lewandowski’s role has been different. Lewy’s movement and cold-blooded finishing have proven that experience and IQ can beat raw athleticism. Lewandowski’s 26 non-penalty goals (vs Mbappe’s 22) came in fewer minutes. This makes his efficiency ridiculous for his age. Critics may call him ‘washed,’ but the statistics speak otherwise.
Penalty Merchant or Pure Striker?
Mbappé has scored numerous penalty goals this season. He is leading the race to win the Golden Boot award. However, if we strip away penalties, the gap shrinks fast.
That is because Mbappe has padded his tally with eight penalty goals, while Lewandowski has just two. That’s a 6-goal swing. If we judge pure open-play impact, Lewandowski’s positioning and hold-up play were a lot more vital to the Barca system than Mbappe’s solo bursts for Madrid.
The ‘Madrid Vs Barca’ System Debate
Mbappe carried Real Madrid’s dysfunctional attack this season and was more of a lone warrior. However, Lewy thrived within the Barcelona setup as a team player. Hansi Flick used him as a genuine #9, while Mbappe often looked lost in Madrid’s disjointed press and had to create out of nothing.
This demonstrated the system’s superiority in Barcelona this season and how Lewandowski is a player who benefits from it. The Polish forward is not at his prime, and thus used his experience to benefit more from the system dynamics. His hold-up play, line-breaking runs, and instincts were key factors in enhancing his performance this season.
Mbappé Will Win the Golden Boot, But?
Mbappe’s cluster of goals in the final stretch of the season will give him the European Golden Boot this season. But, for Lewandowski, it’s still a considerable achievement that he led the race for the better part of the season. His pure striking charisma and aura at 36 has undoubtedly won the hearts of all culers.
Mbappe is undoubtedly the future of football goal scoring, but Lewandowski’s 2024-45 season was a masterclass in longevity. Ten years older, fewer gifts from Mother Luck, and still just as lethal. Show some respect to the legend, Lewandowski.