Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski revealed that in 2012 he wanted to join Manchester United to play under legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
The transfer did not happen because Lewandowski’s club at the time, Borussia Dortmund, did not allow the move, Idman.biz reports.
Lewandowski later joined Bayern Munich as a free agent in the summer of 2014. In an interview with the BBC, he recalled those years: “I had decided to move to Manchester United. I wanted to work with Alex Ferguson. Dortmund didn’t sell me because they knew they could earn more money if I stayed. They understood I could wait a year or two. But it’s true, I had said ‘yes’ to Manchester United.”
Before moving from Poland’s Lech Poznan to Borussia Dortmund in 2010, Lewandowski had also been linked with Blackburn Rovers. Reflecting on never playing in the Premier League, he said: “Maybe there’s some regret. But looking back, I played for clubs like Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and now Barcelona, so I’m very satisfied with my career.”
Lewandowski built a brilliant career in Germany. At Bayern, he scored 344 goals, becoming the second-highest scorer in club history after Gerd Muller. He won the Bundesliga title in all eight seasons at Munich and lifted the Champions League in the 2019/20 season.
His success continued at Barcelona, winning 2 La Liga titles, 2 Spanish Super Cups, and 1 Copa del Rey in three seasons: “I’ve never felt like I missed out on anything, because every decision was my own.”
Last season, Lewandowski joined the elite group of players with 100 or more Champions League goals, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He is now entering the 22nd season of his professional career.
The 37-year-old Pole, who will turn 37 this month, still feels motivated to compete with younger players: “If I see that I’m still ahead and they’re trying to catch me, it means the next season can be successful. I’m still here to give my best. I know I can’t compete with the young physically, but I can help them, and they help me. I learn a lot from them. I never expected it would be like this.”
Lewandowski also spoke about Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, saying he recognized the teenager’s talent in his first training with the senior team in 2022: “For the first time in my life, after 50 minutes, I realized he had something special. I couldn’t believe it because I had never seen such a player at that age, at 15, I thought it was impossible.”
Now 18, Yamal is considered one of the leading candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or: “Yamal had an incredible season. He still has a long career ahead; if not this year, maybe he’ll win it next year.”
Idman.biz
