Robert Lewandowski said he is setting his sights on nothing less than success and titles at Barcelona and hopes his experience can help take the club to a new level.
Lewandowski joined Barcelona last week from Bayern Munich in a deal reported to be worth around €50 million, with the prolific Polish striker signing a three-year contract.
The 33-year-old forward takes him with to Barca a wealth of experience in winning major titles and scoring goals on the biggest stages. Across 12 years in Germany - the first four with Borussia Dortmund before joining Bayern - Lewandowski won 10 Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, and the 2020 Champions League.
The Pole's goals were critical to that success: Lewandowski scored 447 goals in 562 games across all competitions for Dortmund and Bayern, while his 312 Bundesliga goals places him second on the all-time list, behind only Gerd Muller's 365.
Lewandowski is now part of a Barcelona squad whose only trophy in the past three years has been one Copa del Rey and finished last season's La Liga campaign 13 points behind rivals Real Madrid. But Barca are investing heavily in improving their squad this summer, and Lewandowski believes his experience can help his teammates achieve great things this season.
"I hope so, yes," he said during a press conference ahead of Barca's pre-season match against Juventus in Dallas, Texas. "In my head it's always to win games and score goals and it doesn't matter who we are playing against or even in a training session.
"In the team I see a lot of things like that; young guys very hungry to show their skills and best performances, so I'm very glad to be here and part of this team. I see huge potential and I hope all together we get better."
Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Las Vegas
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Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during the 1-0 clasico friendly win against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 23, 2022. AFP -
Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona during the friendly match against Real Madrid. AFP -
Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona against Real Madrid. AFP -
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during the match at Allegiant Stadium. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski runs with the ball during the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski and Gavi during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA -
Barcelona defender Abdessemad Ezzalzouli covers Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today -
Barcelona defender Jordi Alba fouls Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today -
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao defends the ball against Barcelona midfielder Gavi. USA Today -
Fans cheer on Barcelona and Real Madrid during the pre-season game at Allegiant Stadium. EPA -
Barcelona fans cheer on their team during the pre-season game against Real Madrid. EPA -
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr controls the ball against Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. USA Today -
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen controls the ball ahead of Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard. USA Today -
Barcelona players celebrate a goal scored by Raphinha against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save against Barcelona. USA Today -
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard looks on against Barcelona during a game at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today -
Barcelona manager Xavi gives a thumbs up prior to kickoff for the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP -
Players take the field for the friendly match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. AFP -
Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie takes the shot against Real Madrid. EPA -
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao blocks a shot from Barcelona full-back Alex Balde. EPA -
Thibaut Courtois makes a save during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA -
Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele takes on Real Madrid defender Nacho. AFP -
Barcelona manager Xavi appeals to officials for a handball against Real Madrid. AFP -
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti watches as Sergino Dest of Barcelona vies for the ball with Mariano Diaz of Real Madrid. AFP
Lewandowski is set to form a new-look forward line at Barcelona, which will include fellow new signing Raphinha, signed from Leeds United earlier this month.
The Brazilian winger has already started encouragingly, with goals in each of Barca's two pre-season matches so far, including the winner in the 1-0 win against Real Madrid, and Lewandowski is confident he will quickly strike up an effective partnership with Raphinha and the rest of his teammates.
"Raphinha is a top player with huge quality and I think all of Barcelona's forward players have a great connection from the first training session," he said. "We have some young players with huge potential and I know that football language is easier to understand when you have this quality."
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Robert Lewandowski warms up with Barcelona teammates on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP -
Barcelona's new signing Robert Lewandowski arrives to DRV PNK Stadium for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP -
Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Sergino Dest and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP -
Former NFL player Chad Johnson greets Robert Lewandowski at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.AFP -
Robert Lewandowski at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski trained with his Barcelona teammates in Florida on Tuesday. Getty -
Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP -
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas greets Robert Lewandowski. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Pique of Barcelona look on from the bench during the friendly against Inter Miami. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami. AFP
Turning 34 next month, Lewandowski is approaching the latter part of his career and there have been some questions over why Barcelona would offer a long-term contract to a player of his age - even a player that has achieved so much. However, Lewandowski insisted he has plenty more left in the tank.
"My body feels very good and I'm not thinking yet about how many years I can still have at the highest level," he said. "This is only age. Last time I did a test of my body, it's younger than my age so I hope I can play many more successful years."
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said the chance to sign Lewandowski was too good to pass up, and he expects the Poland captain to have a massive influence on his squad, both through his performances and his leadership.
"If you have the opportunity to sign this kind of player - not only a big star but he is humble, professional, a top player in his position - he is helping us a lot," Xavi said. "The team is growing a lot with the signing of Robert Lewandowski so I'm very happy to have him in the squad."
