Lewandowski admits he agreed to join Man Utd in
2012, but Borussia Dortmund blocked the transfer.
Manchester, England — Robert Lewandowski revealed
in a recent interview that he said yes to a move to Manchester United in 2012.
Despite his willingness, Borussia Dortmund refused to sell their star striker,
altering the course of his career. Now 37 and thriving at Barcelona,
Lewandowski reflects on what might have been.
Robert Lewandowski, one of the most prolific
strikers in football history, shared a surprising revelation about his career
trajectory. In 2012, at the peak of his goal-scoring form for Borussia
Dortmund, he reportedly said yes to a potential move to Manchester United. This
admission sheds light on a little-known chapter of the Polish striker's
journey.
The transfer saga emerged during a BBC Sport
interview, where Lewandowski described his desire to join the Red Devils and
meet legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "To Manchester United I decided
and said yes," he said. However, Borussia Dortmund's reluctance to sell
their talismanic forward prevented the deal from materializing.
This incident is not the only near-miss in
Lewandowski’s career. Earlier, a volcanic ash cloud disrupted his potential
transfer to Blackburn Rovers. Yet, it was the Premier League club Manchester
United that he most wanted to join, highlighting how close he came to competing
in England’s top flight.
Borussia Dortmund’s decision was financially
motivated. The German club realized that keeping Lewandowski would yield
greater returns, both in performance and eventual transfer fees. “They could
not sell me because they knew if I stayed they could earn more money,”
Lewandowski explained. “I could wait maybe one or two more years.”
Despite this setback, Lewandowski’s career soared.
After Dortmund, he joined Bayern Munich, where he won the UEFA Champions League
and became one of the world’s most feared goal scorers. Currently, he plays for
Barcelona, having won La Liga twice and continuing to score goals regularly.
At 37, Lewandowski is the veteran leader of a
youthful Barcelona squad. He embraces his role as a mentor to rising stars like
Lamine Yamal, who Lewandowski believes is a future superstar. "I learn
from them a lot," he said, acknowledging the reciprocal nature of his
mentorship.
Reflecting on his career choices, Lewandowski
admitted he sometimes wonders about the Premier League opportunity he missed.
"Maybe it could be a regret," he said, but quickly added, "I am
very happy with my career. Every move or decision I made because I wanted
it."
Lewandowski also touched on his near miss with the
Ballon d’Or, the prestigious football award. The 2020 edition was canceled due
to the pandemic, a year when he was in top form. In 2021, he finished runner-up
to Lionel Messi. The striker remains optimistic about the future, praising
younger talents who could win the award soon.
One of the key influences in Lewandowski’s career
was former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp. Lewandowski credits Klopp
with helping him open up emotionally, something he struggled with after losing
his father at a young age. “It changed my football life,” he said.
This interview gives football fans a rare glimpse
into the personal and professional decisions that shaped Lewandowski’s journey.
While the Premier League chapter remains unwritten, his legacy in European
football is indisputable.