Robert Lewandowski faces an uncertain career conclusion after failing to secure a second Champions League title with Barcelona and missing out on the upcoming World Cup. At 37, his chance for a fitting sendoff may have slipped away.
Key points
Robert Lewandowski is 37 years old
He earns âŹ400,000 a week at Barcelona
Barcelona exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals
Lewandowski missed the chance to play in the World Cup
Poland has not advanced past the World Cup round of 16 since 1982
Robert LewandowskiBarcelonaChampions LeagueWorld Cup
While soccerâs calendar offers few moments of respite, the World Cup doubles as a time for referendums on the legacies of great players. Lionel Messi, Luka ModriÄ and Cristiano Ronaldo approach this summerâs tournament expecting it to be their final turn on their sportâs biggest stage. Kevin De Bruyne and Casemiro could clarify their complicated international careers in North America; Neymar may not get the same chance.
Missing a sendoff like this may be a bit more relatable to the life that we mortals endure. Indeed, thereâs no crueler way for an international career to end than tripping at the final hurdle of World Cup qualification.
The United Statesâ failure to get a draw against Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 doubled as the final international match for three of the programâs best players: DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard. So painful was the sight of Gianluigi Buffonâs tear-stained cheeks after Italyâs unexpected flop in 2018 that the Azzurri brought him out of international retirement for one final friendly four months later.
Then thereâs the recent misery endured by Robert Lewandowski. OK, maybe not so miserable: he collects a reported âŹ400,000 a week at Barcelona. But the spring of 2026 provided the Poland striker with a chance to complete his impressive CV with a second continental title and leading Polandâs first run beyond a World Cup round of 16 since 1982. Instead, a pair of disappointments have expedited unwanted questions about the 37-year-oldâs future.
Poland arenât one of world footballâs great powers. Their postwar World Cup record of qualification comes in three blips: from 1974 through 1986, including a pair of third-place showings starring Grzegorz Lato; then 2002 and 2006 thanks to a gritty defensive core and great goalkeepers; and, thanks to Lewandowski and others, 2018 and 2022.
Q&A
What challenges is Robert Lewandowski facing in his career?
Robert Lewandowski is dealing with the disappointment of not winning a second Champions League title and missing the opportunity to play in the World Cup.
How much does Robert Lewandowski earn at Barcelona?
Robert Lewandowski reportedly earns âŹ400,000 a week at Barcelona.
What was Lewandowski's goal for the 2026 World Cup?
Lewandowski aimed to lead Poland beyond the World Cup round of 16 for the first time since 1982 and secure a second continental title.
What happened to Barcelona in the Champions League?
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
To say those tournaments didnât meet expectations for one of the eraâs greatest forwards is an understatement. Poland fell in the 2018 group stage, with Lewandowski held scoreless, and barely escaped their group in Qatar before France blew past them in the round of 16. Lewandowskiâs second World Cup goal, a last-second consolation penalty against Les Bleus, was soon followed by questions of whether heâd played his final World Cup.
After their star threatened to retire midway through qualifying for this World Cup, Poland changed their coach. Lewandowski returned and led them to a playoff final against Sweden. But the Swedes advanced thanks to a Viktor Gyökeres hero turn that, on another day, could have belonged to Lewandowski.
âItâs hard to say anything after a game like this,â Lewandowski mused as Sweden partied on the pitch. âI donât know if the words I find would reflect how we feel. Soccer can be cruel.â
So, no World Cup for Lewandowski then, though his relationship with Poland had been fraught since they were knocked out of the group stage at Euro 2024. He wasted little time in hinting that he has played his final international match, returning to Barcelona with full focus on the Champions League.
Four months from his 38th birthday, Lewandowski has played a rotational role for the first time since his debut season at Dortmund, when he was fresh in JĂŒrgen Kloppâs locker room after two stellar years at Lech PoznaĆ.
At this stage, Barcelonaâs grip on the La Liga title is fairly firm. But league titles do little for Lewandowski these days: he won one at Lech, two in Dortmund, eight in a row at Bayern and a pair already at Barcelona. Even if they see out this yearâs La Liga campaign, a 14th league title does little for his legacy that his first 13 havenât already.
His Barcelona future is a little more opaque than for Poland, albeit only just. His contract is up at seasonâs end, and reports suggest heâd have to take a hefty cut to stick around Catalonia. Even then, will a chronic goalscorer be satisfied with a backup strikerâs minutes? Surely, itâs all Barcelona may offer him in his careerâs latter stages.
âWe still have some time,â Lewandowski told a reporter late last week. âThe club knows what I think, and Iâve had time to think,â he said. âI donât want to talk about offers and my future. The remaining matches and the goals are more important.â
Much as with other gilded peers of Lewandowski nearing the end of their playing careers, MLS and the Saudi Pro League are brought up as next steps. Thomas MĂŒller and Bastian Schweinsteiger have enjoyed life in North America, while Kingsley Coman and Karim Benzema cash handsome checks in Saudi Arabia. And yet, neither league offers the same legacy-cementing aura that a second Champions League or a deep World Cup run would have for one of the greatest strikers the game has ever seen.
âSoccer can be cruel,â indeed. A marvel of his profession, now without an obvious final act to cement his legacy.
