Robert Lewandowski, a player approaching 800 career goals, has been a substitute in 16 of the 32 games he has been available for this season. At 38, even though his prime years are behind him, leaving a player of the Polish striker’s stature on the bench is never easy. That challenge falls to Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, who shares an agent and a strong bond with Lewandowski. Transparency has been the foundation of their relationship, but this management test has not been straightforward.
Flick’s honesty from the start
From the beginning, Flick has been upfront. In the summer of 2024, he held direct talks with two players he knew best in the Barcelona locker room. To İlkay Gündogan, he said he didn’t see him fitting into a team moving at full speed, where Olmo, Fermín, and Gavi would take precedence. With Lewandowski, Flick asked for commitment and effort, especially in pressing, setting an example for the team. He then used tactical adjustments to reduce the physical toll.
After a rough final season under Xavi, who no longer saw him as the reference striker for a top team, Lewandowski turned last season into a personal challenge. He responded with a staggering 42 goals in 52 games, proving his enduring class.
Lewandowski’s Barça role
Flick has made Ferran his starting striker this season, but he still ensures Lewandowski plays an important role. He started the first game back at Spotify Camp Nou and scored the opening goal. He has been in the starting XI for five of eight Champions League group stage matches, and Flick saved him for the Super Cup final, where he scored a spectacular goal against Real Madrid. Lewandowski’s attitude has been exemplary. He has never shown frustration, and in November, before the Champions League match in Bruges, Flick praised him: “I have never had a more professional player than him.”
Barcelona future decision made
All signs point to Lewandowski leaving Barcelona this summer. The club has indicated the timing of any announcement will be his decision, but the decision itself has long been made. Only a major setback in Ferran’s contract renewal could alter the timeline, and even that is uncertain. Lewandowski has been exploring options in Saudi Arabia, the United States, and even a European path similar to Luka Modric’s - remaining a first-team starter at a top club. Milan, Atlético Madrid, and Fenerbahce have all been mentioned.
A lasting legacy
For now, Lewandowski is doing exactly what Flick expects. He is enjoying his final months, contributing decisively on the pitch, and serving as a mentor in the locker room.
When he arrived at Barcelona at nearly 33, few expected him to perform at the highest level for four seasons. He has silenced the skeptics. He is no longer the dynamic striker who dazzled at Dortmund with his agility and goals, nor the unstoppable force who scored 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern Munich. Yet he has justified Barcelona’s €40 million investment, tallying 114 goals in 176 matches and approaching the top 10 all-time scorers in club history. That is why managing him is Flick’s toughest task yet.
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