Robert Lewandowski has made a candid admission about his uncertain future at Barcelona, revealing he does not know where he will be playing beyond this season. The 37-year-old Polish striker’s contract with the Catalan giants expires on June 30, 2026, and he has opened up about the difficult decision ahead.
“Right now, I don’t know where I want to play,” Lewandowski stated in an interview with Polish journalist Bogdan Rymanowski. “I don’t know which direction to take, but I have no pressure. I have time to make a decision.”
Starting January 1, 2026, Lewandowski will be free to negotiate with any club worldwide under FIFA regulations. Meanwhile, Barcelona has yet to define his future, with no ongoing contract extension negotiations currently taking place.
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The Decision-Making Factors
Lewandowski outlined the key elements that will influence his decision, emphasizing that money is not the primary concern. “It’s not about cutting my salary in half,” he explained. “A lot depends on the club’s plan and what I want.”
| Contract Situation | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Expiry | June 30, 2026 |
| Free to Negotiate | From January 1, 2026 |
| Age at Contract End | 37 (turning 38 in August 2026) |
| Barcelona’s Stance | No renewal offer on table |
| Player’s Position | Undecided, no pressure |
The veteran emphasized his lack of urgency: “Maybe I’ll start talking about it in some time. But for now, I had a difficult start to the season. I got injured twice. It also took me time to find my rhythm.”
Barcelona’s Reported Stance
According to Diario Sport, Barcelona have decided not to renew Lewandowski’s contract when it expires. The club believes the striker has fulfilled his role and plans to transition toward a new center forward, with Ferran Torres increasingly seen as the natural successor.
However, conflicting reports suggest Lewandowski wants to stay. Madrid-Barcelona reports he has communicated his desire to renew at a significantly reduced salary, willing to move from the top of the wage scale to a mid-to-low range—surprising both president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco.
Deco stated: “We’re not going to talk about contract renewals in October. We’ll take things step by step. Lewandowski is one of the best forwards of recent years, a top-level player who has helped us a lot.”
A Phenomenal 2024-25 Season
Despite uncertainty about his future, Lewandowski is enjoying a remarkable campaign. The Polish striker reached 40 goals across all competitions—the first player from a top-five European league to achieve this in 2024-25.
2024-25 Season Statistics:
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 29 | 25 | 2 |
| Champions League | 11 | 11 | 1 |
| Copa del Rey | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 45 | 40 | 3 |
Key achievements this season:
- First La Liga player to score 25 goals in first 28 games since Messi (2018-19)
- 14th consecutive season with 20+ goals—longer streak than Messi ever had
- Reached 105 Champions League goals (third all-time after Ronaldo and Messi)
- Became third-highest scorer in Europe’s top five leagues history
- Surpassed Jan Urban as highest-scoring Polish player in La Liga
He has 99 goals in 140 Barcelona appearances with a 0.70 goals-per-game average.
The Hansi Flick Effect
Reuniting with former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has proven transformative. Under Flick’s system emphasizing high pressing and rapid transitions, Lewandowski has rediscovered his lethal form from their 2019-20 treble-winning season at Bayern.
Notable 2024-25 performances include a hat-trick against Alavés, doubles against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals, and multiple decisive goals. His partnership with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal has been exceptional, contributing to over 65% of Barcelona’s goals.
Potential Destinations
Several clubs have emerged as possible destinations should Lewandowski leave Barcelona:
Chicago Fire (MLS): The American club has presented a powerful offer featuring family stability, media exposure, and the opportunity to be the league’s marquee signing.
AC Milan: The Italian giants have sounded out his situation, valuing his experience for their rebuilding project.
Saudi Arabia: Multiple clubs have made lucrative financial offers, though Lewandowski has consistently prioritized staying in Europe.
Fenerbahçe: Turkish giants expressed interest, though Lewandowski rejected their November 2025 offer.
However, Lewandowski values his life in Catalonia, where his family feels fully integrated. “I can’t imagine living outside Europe or playing just for money,” he reportedly told close associates. Some reports suggest he’s considering retirement if Barcelona doesn’t renew his contract rather than relocating his family.
The World Cup Factor
Lewandowski’s focus extends to Poland’s national team and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Poland finished second in their qualifying group behind the Netherlands and must navigate playoffs in March 2026.
“I want it all: to qualify for the World Cup, win the league and the Champions League,” Lewandowski declared. “I know I’m in the final stretch of my career, but I still have very high ambitions.”
Poland faces Albania in the playoff semifinals, with the winner meeting Sweden or Ukraine. Success would place Poland in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia—Lewandowski’s third World Cup after 2018 and 2022.
As Poland’s captain and all-time top scorer with 88 international goals, the World Cup represents potentially his final major international stage. This priority could influence his club decision, as he needs regular playing time heading into the tournament.
Barcelona Legacy
Regardless of his contract situation, Lewandowski has cemented a remarkable Barcelona legacy since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2022.
Complete Barcelona Record:
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 140 matches |
| Goals | 99 goals |
| Assists | 20 assists |
| Goals per Game | 0.70 average |
| Trophies | La Liga (2), Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup |
He was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2022-23 La Liga title, finishing as Pichichi with 23 goals. His 40-goal haul in 2024-25 represents his best season in Catalonia, potentially surpassing his previous peak of 33 goals.
Robert Lewandowski’s future remains genuinely uncertain as his Barcelona contract approaches expiration. His candid admission—”I don’t know where I want to play“—reflects the complex decision ahead balancing sporting ambition, family considerations, and Barcelona’s unclear intentions.
At 37, Lewandowski continues performing at an elite level, leading La Liga in scoring and breaking records. Yet Barcelona reportedly plans not to renew his contract, favoring transition to younger forwards like Ferran Torres.
The next six months will prove decisive. With the ability to negotiate freely from January 1, 2026, Lewandowski holds leverage. His preference for staying in Europe, particularly Barcelona where his family thrives, contrasts with lucrative offers from MLS, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
“A lot depends on the club’s plan and what I want,” Lewandowski stated, summarizing the mutual decision required. Barcelona must decide whether to extend one of history’s great strikers still scoring prolifically, or transition to the future. Lewandowski must weigh sporting ambition against family stability, European competition against new challenges.
One certainty exists: whatever decision emerges will significantly impact both Lewandowski’s career finale and Barcelona’s attacking future. For now, the Polish legend remains focused on immediate goals—qualifying Poland for the World Cup, winning La Liga and the Champions League—while acknowledging these represent his final years in football’s elite.
Read More: Real Madrid and David Alaba Expected to Part Ways in Summer 2026
FAQs
When does Robert Lewandowski’s Barcelona contract expire?
Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona expires on June 30, 2026, meaning he can negotiate with other clubs from January 1, 2026.
How many goals has Lewandowski scored for Barcelona in 2024-25?
Lewandowski has scored 40 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions in 2024-25, including 25 La Liga goals and 11 Champions League goals.
Does Barcelona want to renew Lewandowski’s contract?
Reports suggest Barcelona have decided not to renew Lewandowski’s contract, planning to transition to younger forwards like Ferran Torres, though conflicting reports indicate Lewandowski has offered to renew at reduced wages.
What clubs are interested in signing Lewandowski?
Chicago Fire (MLS), AC Milan, Saudi Arabian clubs, and Fenerbahçe have all expressed interest, though Lewandowski prioritizes staying in Europe.
What did Lewandowski say about his future?
Lewandowski stated: “Right now, I don’t know where I want to play. I don’t know which direction to take, but I have no pressure. A lot depends on the club’s plan and what I want.”
