Robert Lewandowski has answered questions about his future at Barcelona and the possibility of heading to the United States or Saudi Arabia.
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Lewandowski quizzed over Barcelona future
Contract with Catalans until 2026
MLS & Saudi Pro League speculationWHAT HAPPENED?
Lewandowski appears committed to the remaining two years on his contract at Barcelona, despite heading toward his 36th birthday. The striker is also on course to record his lowest goal tally since 2010-11 – his first year after leaving Poland. In his "heart and head" it doesn't make sense leaving for the likes of Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
A goal return of just 13 goals in 29 La Liga appearances (20 in all competitions) is a sudden drop-off for Lewandowski and has come as a surprise for a player whose goalscoring instinct seems to have got better since his 30th birthday – mirroring the careers of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Karim Benzema. He has been linked with a sunset move to less competitive leagues as a result.
WHAT LEWANDOWSKI SAID
Lewandowski told : "Saying goodbye [to Barcelona] is definitely out of the question for me [this summer]. I feel physically good again now. I had physical problems in the first half of the season. Things got better in 2024. As long as I continue to feel as good as I do now and notice in training that no one is outrunning me, I want to keep playing. As of today, I say: This will continue for at least two more years. Only when I notice that I am no longer physically at top level and am in pain would I start to think. That's not the case.
"I haven't bothered with [Saudi Arabia] for a second so far. Neither Saudi Arabia nor to the USA. That doesn't make sense at the moment. At some point it's about what my heart and my head say. When I'm 38 years old and the pain comes, I have to ask myself: Do I even want to continue? But I don't want to plan that far yet. Currently I say: I can definitely play at this highest level by 2026."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LEWANDOWSKI & BARCELONA?
With Real Madrid away and clear at the top of La Liga, but Champions League qualification also all but mathematically assured, there isn't much more than pride to play for. Barcelona will hope to finish the season well and go into the summer with optimism for 2024-25, now that Xavi is staying on. After Monday's clash with Valencia, only fixtures against Girona, Real Sociedad, Almeria, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla remain.