Biography of Robert Lewandowski: The Inspirational Biography of Football Legend Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is one of the greatest football strikers of all time. He currently plays for Barcelona and is the captain of the Polish national team. Lewandowski is renowned for his goalscoring prowess, athleticism, and intelligent attacking movements.
He has won numerous honors at both club and international level. This article will provide a comprehensive biography of Robert Lewandowski, from his early life and career beginnings to his record-breaking goal tallies and biggest achievements.
Early Life and Youth Career
Robert Lewandowski was born on 21 August 1988 in Warsaw, Poland. His father Krzysztof was a Polish judo champion and football player, while his mother Iwona was a professional volleyball player.
Lewandowski grew up in the Warsaw suburb of Leszno. From an early age, he was immersed in sport. His parents encouraged him to try many different activities, including football, track and field, handball, and swimming.
Lewandowski first began playing organized football at age 9 for the local youth team Varsovia Warsaw. Even as a child, his competitive spirit, athleticism, and goalscoring ability shone through.
Teenage Years
As a teenager, Lewandowski joined the youth academy of top Polish club Legia Warsaw. However, he struggled to break into the first team.
In 2006, at age 18, Lewandowski made the decision to sign for the lower league Polish team Znicz Pruszków. He quickly established himself as a star player, scoring 15 goals in his first season and helping the club earn promotion.
His standout performances attracted attention from several teams. In 2008, he transferred to top-flight Polish club Lech Poznań for 1.5 million złotys.
Breakthrough at Lech Poznań
The move to Lech Poznań marked Lewandowski’s breakthrough. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he scored 14 goals in his debut season.
In 2009/10, he switched to playing as an out-and-out striker. This proved an inspired move, as he banged in 18 goals to become the league’s top scorer. He helped fire Lech Poznań to the league title.
In 2010/11, Lewandowski was even more prolific, scoring 22 goals. He earned the distinction of being the first player to score 4 goals in two separate league matches. By now, top clubs around Europe were circling.
Transfer to Borussia Dortmund
In June 2010, Lewandowski signed for German club Borussia Dortmund for a €4.5 million transfer fee.
Initially a backup, he had to wait until February of his first season to score his debut goal for Dortmund. However, he went on to net 8 goals in the second half of the 2010/11 season, helping Dortmund win the Bundesliga title.
From 2011/12 onwards, Lewandowski became integral to Dortmund. Playing as the lone striker in Jürgen Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 system, his intelligent movement, physicality, and lethal finishing thrived.
Some of his highlights from this period include:
- Scoring a hat-trick in the 5–2 win over title rivals Bayern Munich in 2012. This victory helped cement Dortmund as champions that season.
- In 2012/13, scoring four goals in a single Champions League semi-final game against Real Madrid. Dortmund won 4–1 but narrowly lost the tie on aggregate.
- Becoming the Bundesliga’s top scorer in 2013/14 with 20 goals, while leading Dortmund to German Cup glory.
In total, Lewandowski scored 103 goals in 187 appearances across all competitions during his four seasons for Dortmund. He helped them win two Bundesliga titles, one German Cup, and reach the 2013 Champions League final.
Table: Lewandowski’s Stats at Borussia Dortmund
Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
2010–11 | 33 | 8 | 1 |
2011–12 | 43 | 22 | 7 |
2012–13 | 49 | 36 | 10 |
2013–14 | 48 | 28 | 7 |
Total | 173 | 94 | 25 |
Transfer to Bayern Munich
With his contract expiring in 2014, speculation was rife that Lewandowski would leave Dortmund. He confirmed a free transfer to rivals Bayern Munich, which infuriated Dortmund supporters.
In his first season for Bayern, under manager Pep Guardiola, Lewandowski was an immediate hit. He scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga and 25 overall to help Bayern win the domestic double.
The 2015/16 campaign was perhaps Lewandowski’s greatest season yet. Playing as Bayern’s attacking spearhead, he plundered 42 goals across all competitions, including 30 in the league to claim the Bundesliga’s golden boot.
Some of his incredible goal tallies for Bayern include:
- Hitting 5 goals in 9 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Wolfsburg in 2015. This set the record for the fastest 5 goals scored in Bundesliga history.
- Netting 9 goals in a single Champions League group stage match against Red Star Belgrade in 2019.
- Scoring a remarkable 41 goals in just 29 Bundesliga games in 2019/20 to fire Bayern to another league title.
In total, Lewandowski has so far scored an astonishing 238 goals in 253 matches during his Bayern career. He has won seven consecutive Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues, and many other honors.
Table: Lewandowski’s Stats at Bayern Munich
Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
2014–15 | 49 | 25 | 4 |
2015–16 | 49 | 42 | 5 |
2016–17 | 45 | 30 | 8 |
2017–18 | 42 | 29 | 3 |
2018–19 | 39 | 22 | 10 |
2019–20 | 31 | 34 | 4 |
2020–21 | 29 | 41 | 7 |
2021–22 | 34 | 35 | 3 |
Total | 318 | 258 | 44 |
International Career with Poland
Ever since making his senior international debut in 2008, Lewandowski has been a key player for the Polish national team.
He scored his first international goal against San Marino in 2009 and has since established himself as Poland’s all-time leading scorer. As of January 2024, Lewandowski has 74 goals in 128 caps for his country.
Some highlights of his international career include:
- Captaining Poland at the 2012 European Championships and 2016 Euros.
- Almost single-handedly taking Poland to the 2018 World Cup, scoring 16 goals in 10 qualifiers – a European qualifying record.
- Becoming Poland’s highest European Championship goalscorer (6 goals).
- Reaching 3rd place at the 2022 World Cup, scoring his first World Cup goals.
Lewandowski briefly retired from international duty in 2018 following the World Cup before returning to lead Poland’s attack. He has stated his intention is to compete at Euro 2024.
Individual and Team Honors
With his phenomenal goalscoring exploits for Bayern Munich and Poland, Lewandowski has won a host of individual and team honors:
Individual Awards
- FIFA Best Men’s Player (2020, 2021)
- UEFA Men’s Player of the Year (2020, 2021)
- Bundesliga Top Scorer (2014, 2016, 2018–2021)
- UEFA Champions League Top Scorer (2020, 2022)
- European Golden Shoe (2021)
Team Honors
- Polish League Title (2010)
- German Bundesliga (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015–2022)
- DFB-Pokal (2012, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020)
- DFL-Supercup (2013–2020, 2022)
- UEFA Champions League (2020)
- UEFA Super Cup (2020)
- FIFA Club World Cup (2020, 2021)
Playing Style and Goalscoring Prowess
What makes Lewandowski such a complete striker is his wide array of skills and intelligence. Here are some of the key attributes behind his phenomenal goalscoring:
- Movement – His ability to find and exploit space in the box is unmatched. Lewandowski times his runs perfectly to stay onside and lose his marker.
- Power – He has tremendous pace over short distances and a powerful shot with either foot. Many of his goals come from overpowering defenders before finishing.
- Heading – His aerial ability makes him a constant threat from crosses. He times his jumps immaculately and can place headers.
- Finishing – Inside or outside the box, Lewandowski is clinical. He rarely misses one-on-one chances and can score from tight angles. His composure and technique are exemplary.
- Link-up Play – While primarily a finisher, Lewandowski also contributes to build-up play. His touch, flicks, and passing ability allow him to combine with teammates and create space.
- Tenacity – Despite his technical prowess, Lewandowski also works tirelessly when his team doesn’t have the ball. He presses defenders and tracks back to help win possession.
- Leadership – As captain for Bayern and Poland, Lewandowski leads by example. His professionalism, dedication and competitive drive are infectious.
These well-rounded attributes make Lewandowski nearly impossible to contain. His goalscoring achievements for club and country will likely never be matched. He is undoubtedly one of football’s modern greats.
Conclusion
Robert Lewandowski’s journey from Warsaw youngster to global superstar has been remarkable. His path was not straightforward, being rejected by top academies and starting in Poland’s lower leagues. However, Lewandowski always believed in his ability and was determined to reach the pinnacle.
After developing impressively at Lech Poznań and Borussia Dortmund, Lewandowski ascended into the elite bracket following his transfer to Bayern Munich. His legendary goalscoring feats have seen him break countless records en route to winning major honors. With Poland, he almost single-handedly took them to World Cups and Euros.
Lewandowski’s sensational combination of athleticism, skill, intelligence and work ethic has made him one of the most feared strikers in football history. His insatiable hunger for goals drives him to scale even greater heights. At 34 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down. Lewandowski will undoubtedly be remembered as a Polish legend and one of the greatest number 9s the sport has ever seen.
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Lewandowski
When and where was Robert Lewandowski born?
Robert Lewandowski was born on 21 August 1988 in Warsaw, Poland.
What position does Lewandowski play?
Lewandowski plays as a striker or center-forward. He is renowned for his goalscoring prowess.
Which clubs has Lewandowski played for?
In Poland, Lewandowski played for Znicz Pruszków and Lech Poznań. In Germany, he played for Borussia Dortmund (2010-2014) and Bayern Munich (2014-present).
How many goals has Lewandowski scored for Bayern?
As of January 2024, Lewandowski has scored a remarkable 258 goals in 318 games across all competitions for Bayern Munich.
What individual records does Lewandowski hold?
He holds the records for the fastest 5 goals scored in a Bundesliga match (9 minutes), and most Champions League goals in a group stage game (9 goals vs Red Star Belgrade in 2019).
How many goals has Lewandowski scored for Poland?
Lewandowski has scored 74 goals in 128 appearances for the Polish national team, making him their all-time top scorer.
What are Lewandowski’s biggest achievements?
His achievements include winning the Champions League and 7 Bundesliga titles with Bayern. Individually, he has won numerous Bundesliga top scorer awards, and the FIFA Best Men’s Player award twice (2020, 2021).
Is Lewandowski married?
Yes, Lewandowski has been married to Anna Lewandowska since 2013. She is a professional karate champion and nutritionist. They have two daughters together.
What makes Lewandowski such a great striker?
His intelligent movement, power, aerial threat, clinical finishing, link-up play, tenacity and leadership make Lewandowski the complete forward. He is one of the most well-rounded strikers of all time.