Robert Lewandowski and the Transfer Requests That Shaped His Bayern Munich Journey
When you think of Robert Lewandowski, you think of goals, records, and a striker who defined an era at Bayern Munich. But according to former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, there was a side to Lewandowski’s story that fans never really saw — a restless champion who, despite being the Bundesliga’s most feared forward, wanted to leave the club “every year.”
Rummenigge’s recent revelations shine a light on just how determined Lewandowski was to win the Champions League, and how close he came to walking away before Bayern finally delivered European glory in 2020.
Robert Lewandowski Wanted to Leave Bayern “Every Year”
Lewandowski’s time in Munich was a golden age for the club in terms of domestic dominance. Six Bundesliga titles, countless goals, and a style of play that made Bayern virtually unbeatable in Germany. But behind the scenes, there was a different story unfolding.
Speaking to Kicker, Rummenigge explained: “He came to me every year and said he had an offer from a top club. I said: ‘That’s great, and proof that we’ve signed the right player.’ But he really wanted to win the Champions League. I told him: ‘You can win that with Bayern Munich, too.’”
It was a delicate balancing act. Bayern couldn’t afford to lose the world’s most complete No. 9, but they also had to keep him motivated. The club’s hierarchy knew that simply winning the Bundesliga — something Lewandowski had made routine — wasn’t enough to keep their star striker satisfied.
A Relentless Champion Who Chased European Glory
Lewandowski’s numbers at Bayern remain staggering: 238 Bundesliga goals in 253 appearances, six top-scorer awards, and the breaking of Gerd Müller’s seemingly untouchable single-season record with 41 goals in 2020-21. But for Lewandowski, there was one thing missing — that Champions League medal.
He wasn’t just looking to score goals; he was looking to cement his place among the game’s immortals. And for him, that meant winning Europe’s most prestigious club trophy. His annual requests to leave were less about money and more about ambition.
When Bayern finally triumphed in 2020 under Hansi Flick, defeating Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon, it was a cathartic moment not only for the club but for Lewandowski personally. Rummenigge recalled: “That was one of the best days I’ve ever experienced. We had an extraordinary year with Hansi Flick. After the game, I told him: ‘You see, Robert, you can also win the Champions League with Bayern Munich.’ He was incredibly happy.”
That night cemented Lewandowski’s Bayern legacy. He was no longer just a Bundesliga machine; he was a European champion, fulfilling the very dream that had nearly driven him away.
Lewandowski’s Next Chapter at Barcelona
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After eight seasons in Munich, Lewandowski eventually made his move in 2022, joining Barcelona in a deal that signaled a new era for both player and club. At 36, he is still going strong, showing no signs of slowing down in front of goal.
In La Liga, he has registered 71 goals and 17 assists in 107 appearances, numbers that are remarkable given the transition period Barcelona have been through in recent seasons. His 2024-25 campaign was his best yet in Spain — 27 goals in 34 league games, becoming the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to hit 30 goals across all competitions by February.
Under Hansi Flick — now at Barcelona — Lewandowski remains the focal point of the attack. His hold-up play, intelligent movement, and leadership qualities make him indispensable to a young, evolving squad.
Turning Down Saudi Arabia and Looking Ahead
Interestingly, Lewandowski had the chance to take the lucrative path many stars have chosen in recent years, with multiple offers arriving from Saudi Arabia. But true to character, he turned them down, opting to stay in La Liga and compete at the highest level in Europe for as long as he can.
His contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, and although speculation about his future will continue, there is every indication that the Catalan club want him to stay beyond that. If his form holds — and right now there is little to suggest otherwise — an extension seems more a question of “when” than “if.”
A Legacy That Transcends Numbers
What makes Lewandowski’s story so compelling is that it goes beyond goals and trophies. He is the rare striker who combines individual brilliance with an obsession for collective success. His repeated requests to leave Bayern weren’t tantrums — they were the demands of a footballer who knew what he wanted and refused to settle for less.
In the end, he got his Champions League medal, cementing his status as one of the greats of the modern game. Now, at Barcelona, he is writing a new chapter, still driven by the same hunger that once made him knock on Rummenigge’s door every summer.
Robert Lewandowski journey is a reminder that even the most prolific scorers have dreams beyond goals. His time at Bayern Munich was marked by dominance but also by restlessness — a restlessness that ultimately pushed the club to new heights. Today, as he continues to score freely in Spain, he remains one of the game’s defining figures, proving that ambition, when channeled the right way, can shape history.
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