Although Robert Lewandowski already wore the Barcelona uniform in the preparation games in the United States, today (Friday) the fans at Camp Nou got their first chance to meet their most glittering acquisition in the transfer window.
No fewer than 57,300 Blaugrana fans came to welcome the Pole, who thanked them in Catalan: “I’m happy to be here.” The striker who arrived from Bayern Munich after a long saga continued: “Proud to be a Barcelona player, it was a long way to get here. I hope to give you many goals in this stadium and a lot of joy.”
ALL THE FIELD! ???????????? lewy_official pic.twitter.com/dx8YpDKG6f
— FC Barcelona August 5, 2022
The Polish striker played with the number 12 shirt in preparation, but he took to the grass in Barcelona with the number 9 shirt that was transferred to him from Memphis Depay. According to President Juan Laporte, this is a decision that stems from commercial and marketing motives. “It’s amazing to see so many fans in the stadium, it’s very special for me,” said the Pole, “I’m sure every match at Camp Nou will be magical and I hope we’ll be able to win titles.”
Next to the new number 9 was Laporte, who thanked Jordi Cruyff and Matteo Allmann for their work behind the scenes, the agent of the Pole Finny Zahavi for his role in completing the deal, and also Lewandowski himself: “Robert, I want to thank you for your efforts to get to Barcelona. It was not easy , but the deal went through because you only wanted to play for Barca.”
After that, Lewandowski appeared at the press conference and at the beginning of his words he said that he “has a hard time finding the words to describe the excitement. I want to show my talent on the field as soon as possible. It’s a challenge for me, I have to push the other players with my experience. I don’t think Only about myself, but about the ability of the entire team. I’ve seen a lot of things in football, and if I can use it to help with words as well, and not just ability, I will.”
“I know these are not the easiest days for the club,” said Lewandowski, “but when I spoke with Laporte and saw the project it was the first step. I know the future will be bright, this team has a lot of potential. In my first conversation with Xavi I understood what he wanted from me on the tactical side, I immediately felt that there was a good connection.”
“Age is just a number, it doesn’t matter. I feel good and can play at the highest levels, it wasn’t easy to leave Bayern Munich, but for me and my family it was the right side. Real Madrid? I’m always ready to play against them, they had a great season And it will be difficult to beat them.”