Barcelona allegedly begged Lewandowski to skip 25-goal mark to dodge Bayern’s bonus
Barcelona
Abdullateef Fowewe
Robert Lewandowski has disclosed that Barcelona officials urged him to intentionally fall short of a 25-goal milestone in the 2022–23 La Liga season, all to sidestep a hefty performance-based bonus owed to his former club, Bayern Munich.
The Polish superstar, who joined Barcelona from Bayern in a high-profile €45 million transfer in 2022, revealed the extraordinary request came amid the Catalan giants’ acute financial woes.
Speaking in a recent interview, Lewandowski explained that after Barcelona had already clinched the La Liga title, club executives approached him directly.
“They asked me not to reach 25 goals,” he said, highlighting the dire economic pressures that forced such a plea.
Lewandowski obliged, wrapping up the season with exactly 23 goals in 34 appearances
That deliberate shortfall meant Barcelona avoided activating the bonus clause tied to his move, providing crucial financial relief during a period when the club grappled with debt, salary cap breaches, and registration issues for new signings.
Now 37 and in the twilight of his career, Lewandowski has endured reduced playing time under manager Hansi Flick this season.
Despite bench spells and competition from younger forwards like Lamine Yamal and new arrivals, the veteran remains committed.
His contract runs until June 2026, and he eyes silverware in La Liga and the Champions League as his Barcelona swansong.
