Robert Lewandowski sets retirement timeline despite impressive form

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed when he plans to retire from football despite his recent return to top form with the Spanish side.

Undoubtedly one of the best forwards in history, Lewandowski is back to scoring goals week in week out for Barcelona. This season, he has netted 19 goals in 17 matches across competitions, proving his value to a Barca side currently six points clear at the top of La Liga.

However, the Polish forward might retire anytime soon. In an interview with Forbes, Lewandowski admitted, “At my age now, I know that soon – two, three years, I don’t know exactly – it will be done, it will be finished.”

While his contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, with an option for a one-year extension, Lewandowski emphasised he will walk away from the sport when he feels that the fire in his belly is spent.

“I want to say, and only me, not anyone else, when the finish will be,” he said. “When I wake up one day and feel I don’t want to go to the training session, that will be the first moment to start thinking about retiring.”

Nonetheless, he feels no such urge to step away. “Every morning when I’m waking up – and I hope it stays like this – I don’t feel any pain. And I still have the feeling that I love to go to the training session, to the club,” he shared.

With Lewandowski already showing signs of quitting the beautiful game, Barcelona are making preparations for his replacement.

Sporting director Deco recently mentioned players like Victor Gyokeres and Erling Haaland as possible candidates to step into the Polish striker’s shoes.

“I think it’s very difficult to find a striker like Robert today. There are one or two at this level. Maybe Haaland or another one,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“Gyokeres is a good player, he’s been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal, we know him like others but he’s not our priority at the moment and we’re not looking for a number nine to replace Robert because we want him to remain happy, scoring goals and at least stay for another season.”

Lewandowski has scored an incredible 688 goals for club and country. The Polish forward will be eager to continue his good form as Barcelona face Celta Vigo next in La Liga.