Lewandowski: “I see myself fulfilling the four years of my contract”

Robert Lewandowski not changed the Bayern for him boat on a whim. After winning almost everything in Munich, he accepted the difficult challenge of leading a team through a complete rebuild. Despite pulling the car with two great goals in the decisive 3-3 match Intercan’t avoid KO to Champions. It still hurts and he doesn’t forget it. It’s back world, he wants everything. This is how he delivers it in a message that is not euphoric but ambitious and well argued. A Lewy He likes to talk about football with the value of experience.

Did you feel like returning to Barcelona after the World Cup?

We have a few weeks to prepare for the next match. I have two more weeks, but the rest of the season is going to be very difficult with a very long calendar. We start on December 31st and the last game is in June. We will have many games but you have to be ready for this kind of hard road.

Poland reached the round of 16 against France. What balance are you making at the World Cup?

I think we achieved our goals. We are playing against France after a good first period. In the first half we played well, we had chances. After the break we haven’t been good but we only lost to the two teams that reached the final, France and Argentina. We could have played better but I insist: we achieved our goals and that’s all good.

By the next World Cup you will be 37 years old. Will he play it?

It does not depend on my physique but on the aspects surrounding football. I know I’ll be ready if I want to be there but it’s too soon to decide. Three and a half years to go, not four years. So much and now I am focused on the next European Championship (2024) and, after losing with Barça against Bayern in the Champions League, on never losing this type of game again. Also against Inter Milan. It was a painful part of the season and I hope that next season will be better. We had a lot of injuries but against Bayern and Inter we played and made mistakes. The price to pay is not to play in the Champions League. We know we can do better and I am confident that next season will be better step by step and we will move forward. This is our goal and I hope we win titles in the end.

We went back to the World Cup for a while. Is this the best finale you’ve ever seen?

Yes, probably because it was played at the time. It is in June at the end of the course and the footballers will be more tired, making it impossible for them to play at such a high level with such quality after 70 minutes. This is the beauty of the final, which at the time. There is a big difference.

Does anyone already own the Ballon d’Or?

Of course. There may be another player playing in the same club but there is only one World Cup that will decide who will win it this season and Leo is definitely in the top position because of what he has achieved which means everything to him. Now you can enjoy it.

You and Messi had a few words at the end of the Argentina-Poland game. Is everything fixed?

I can only say that the conversation was good. I don’t want to explain what we talked about but the dialogue was beautiful. I know that despite losing the first game against Saudi Arabia, Argentina is the big favorite to win the title.

Do you want to play with Leo before you retire?

(Smiles) I don’t care. Of course, we can see that now he plays more like a ‘playmaker’, maybe he scores less and passes more to his teammates although he still continues to score. But compared to other times, he is now the footballer any striker dreams of being with.

Let’s talk about Barcelona. What are you wishing for in 2023? Are four remaining titles possible?

After four months in Barcelona, ​​​​​​and now back after the World Cup, we know that we have options to win titles and of course we have to think about it but every title is difficult. I hope that we can win titles and that we are happy, but in Europe we must first think about the tie against Manchester United, which will be very difficult. We know the mistakes we made in the Champions League against Bayern and Inter and now we have to think about what we have to improve on what we didn’t do two months ago, especially in the Champions League. Because of the League we are leading and the next three games will be very important for us to continue against very difficult opponents. We must prepare them and also the rest of the season, which will be long.

The impact of his signing was phenomenal in Barcelona and Barça shirts were sold in stores because of him. Are you surprised by the love of the fans?

Yes, because the fans have supported me since day one and that means a lot to me. When I’m on the pitch, sometimes I feel tired but seeing people cheering me on gives me more energy. The support I have in the stadium and also in the city is exciting. And that happens both in Barcelona and in other cities. Even at the World Cup I saw a lot of Barça fans and that means a lot.

Do you see yourself completing a four-year contract at Barcelona? The final season is optional.

Of course. I am convinced that I will be ready and in good shape as I am now. When I was 30 or 32 years old I wanted to play three or four more years at a high level. That’s why I do everything to live as long as possible. As long as I’m fit and I want to win titles, I’m here.

[+] Lewandowski responded to MD’s most personal test: