Robert Lewandowski set to leave Barcelona: 'Mission complete' says Polish legend ahead of his emotional farewell

Robert Lewandowski joined Barcelona in 2022 from Bayern Munich at a time when the club was battling financial troubles and rebuilding its squad. He quickly became the focal point of their attack and played a key role in restoring the team to the top of Spanish football.

Aachal Maniyar
Published16 May 2026, 07:10 PM IST
FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after winning the LaLiga
FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after winning the LaLiga(REUTERS)

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has announced he will leave the club this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a memorable four-year chapter at the Catalan giants.

The 37-year-old Polish forward joined Barcelona in 2022 from Bayern Munich at a time when the club was battling financial troubles and rebuilding its squad. He quickly became the focal point of their attack and played a key role in restoring the team to the top of Spanish football.

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Robert Lewandowski's heartfelt post

Robert Lewandowski shared his feelings on his social media handle, saying, “After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on.” He added, “I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. Four seasons, three championships.”

He continued: “Barca is back where it belongs. I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth.”

Robert Lewandowski’s impressive record at Barcelona

In 191 appearances across all competitions, Robert Lewandowski scored an impressive 119 goals. He helped Barcelona secure three La Liga titles, including this season’s championship, and lifted the Copa del Rey in 2025. His debut campaign under Xavi Hernandez saw him finish as La Liga’s top scorer, proving his instant impact.

This season, under coach Hansi Flick, Lewandowski shared striking duties with Spain international Ferran Torres. Despite rotation, he still found the net 18 times in 44 matches, showing his enduring quality at the highest level.

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Emotional goodbye from Barcelona

Barcelona’s official social media channels paid tribute with a heartfelt message: “Came as a star. Leaves as legend. Thank you, Robert Lewandowski, for every goal, every battle, and every magic moment wearing these colours. Culer forever.”

The club later repeated the warm words: “Thank you, Robert Lewandowski, for every goal, every (bit of) fight, and every magical moment wearing these colours. He arrived as a star, he leaves as a legend.”

Hansi Flick’s special tribute

Hansi Flick confirmed the striker will start in his final home game at Camp Nou against Real Betis on Sunday. After the team meeting, Flick revealed, “He spoke with the team, said goodbye, and said it was a great time for him here in Barcelona.”

The German coach added: “I’ve worked with Robert now for years, and we won together nine (trophies), all the titles I’ve won were with him. For me it’s a privilege to work with him. He’s a professional player... every day he gave the best with his body to be at the highest level. He’s a perfect role model for young players... this is why he’s still playing at this level.”

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Flick described Lewandowski as “a fantastic human, but also a world-class player.”

What’s next for the veteran striker?

Robert Lewandowski has not yet revealed his next club, but reports link him with moves to Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer in the United States. Fans will get one last chance to cheer him on at Camp Nou before he turns the page on his Barcelona career.

About the Author

Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.

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