‎Robert Lewandowski Reveals Barcelona Asked Him to Stop Scoring to Avoid €2.5m Bonus

‎Robert Lewandowski has disclosed a remarkable behind-the-scenes episode from his time at Barcelona, revealing that the club requested he avoid scoring toward the end of a La Liga season as part of a money-saving strategy. The Polish striker explained that the request was connected to a bonus clause in his contract and said the situation stayed with him, offering a clear insight into the severity of Barcelona’s financial struggles at the time.

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Robert Lewandowski confirms Barcelona once asked him not to score late in the 2022–23 La Liga season to avoid triggering a €2.5m bonus amid the club’s financial crisis.

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‎During the closing weeks of the 2022–23 La Liga campaign, Barcelona found themselves making an extraordinary financial calculation involving their star forward. With the league title already secured and only a handful of matches remaining, the club faced the possibility of activating a significant performance-related payment tied to Lewandowski’s goal tally.

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‎At that point, Lewandowski had scored 23 league goals. A clause in his transfer deal stated that reaching two more goals would trigger an extra €2.5 million payment to his former club, Bayern Munich. Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial difficulties during that period, senior figures were eager to prevent any additional expenses.

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‎Reports surfaced in November claiming Lewandowski had been informally asked not to score in the final matches of the season. While such a request seemed at odds with a club renowned for sporting ambition, it reflected the reality of operating under intense financial pressure, where even relatively modest sums were treated as critical.

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‎Lewandowski later verified the reports in an interview with Polish journalist Bogdan Rymanowski, acknowledging both the request and the circumstances surrounding it. He made clear that he did not intend to criticise the club or its staff, but admitted the situation was highly unusual for a striker whose career has been defined by scoring goals.

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‎“There are things I don’t want to talk about. I respect Barcelona and the people who work there a lot. I was aware of the club’s situation. There were many other situations that needed to be resolved for the good of the club,” Lewandowski said, presenting the request as part of broader efforts to stabilise Barcelona.

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‎He then directly addressed the financial reasoning behind it. “In short, it was a bonus, and it is known that at that time Barcelona looked to save every euro. It was no small thing, and for me, nothing changed either,” he explained. However, he admitted the moment left a lasting impression. “I have no problem with that, but it stuck in my head and I wondered whether to score a goal or not.”

‎The episode has since come to represent the depth of Barcelona’s prolonged economic troubles. Although the club’s finances have gradually improved in recent seasons, they remain limited by spending restrictions and are still working toward a full return to La Liga’s 1:1 financial rule, which would allow spending in line with revenue.

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‎That a striker of Lewandowski’s stature could be asked to curb his scoring output underlines just how tight margins were at the time. The €2.5 million involved, a relatively small figure by elite football standards, was significant enough to influence sporting decisions, highlighting the extent of Barcelona’s cash-flow concerns.

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‎Despite the controversy, Lewandowski’s impact at Barcelona has been substantial. Over three and a half seasons, he has scored 109 goals in 165 appearances across all competitions, remaining a key figure as the club continues to navigate a period of transition on and off the pitch. His calm handling of the situation has also been noted, particularly given his reputation for relentless competitiveness.

‎Barcelona’s focus moving forward is to ensure such situations belong firmly to the past. Club leadership has placed emphasis on financial stability, boosting stadium income, and restructuring the wage bill to avoid compromises that blur the line between economic necessity and sporting integrity.

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‎For Lewandowski, the incident has not affected his commitment or hunger for success. While speculation continues about his long-term future beyond his current contract, his scoring instinct remains sharp and his desire to compete at the highest level unchanged.

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‎Whether Barcelona have completely moved beyond those financial difficulties remains uncertain, but the episode stands as one of the most unusual chapters in the club’s recent history.