Former Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski warns that Real Madrid have grown stronger under coach José Mourinho and new signings following two consecutive seasons without a league title, while maintaining his loyalty to Barcelona as both Spanish clubs share the early league lead with three opening wins.
The race for Spanish football supremacy has taken an intriguing turn as Robert Lewandowski weighs in on the shifting power dynamics at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Polish striker, who departed Barcelona over the summer to continue his playing career in Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire, spoke at length with the media about the competitive landscape in La Liga and the continental ambitions of his former club.
Mourinho Factor and Real Madrid’s Renewed Aggression
Real Madrid entered the current campaign under intense pressure after enduring a barren stretch without major silverware, a drought that prompted club leadership under Florentino Perez to cycle through three different managers before appointing the returning Portuguese coach. Lewandowski observed that the tactical addition of José Mourinho alongside a wave of high-profile summer acquisitions has instilled a much sharper competitive edge in the squad.
“Real Madrid has become stronger and more aggressive this season thanks to the new signings and the presence of José Mourinho, and their mentality will be crucial after two years without trophies.”
With Barcelona winning the league in each of the past two seasons, the Madrid hierarchy clearly calculated that a disciplined, defensively hardened mentality under Mourinho was necessary to close the gap. Lewandowski believes that mentality could ultimately be decisive after two seasons without winning anything. Lewandowski also told AS newspaper that Real Madrid have become stronger now with the new signings and with Mourinho, but I always stand alongside Barcelona.
Barcelona’s Squad Evolution and Champions League Ambitions
While acknowledging the threat posed by their arch-rivals, Lewandowski remains deeply invested in Barcelona’s prospects both domestically and in Europe. Addressing the attacking adjustments required after his own departure, alongside Rashford’s return to Manchester United and the sale of Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain, the veteran striker noted that last season’s tally of 65 goals proved the club knows how to work right to the end.
“Last season we scored 65 goals, but Barcelona know how to work right to the end.”
Photo: YSscores
Robert Lewandowski, via AS
Looking ahead to the new season and the Champions League, the Chicago Fire player believes this campaign could look very different for the team compared to last season because it has many players of quality, in addition to new signings. The squad’s makeup has shifted as players who were very young two or three years ago now have experience. There are eight players who were world champions, which Lewandowski described as something special for them and also for Spain. In the end, he hopes Barcelona try, win, and are able to celebrate the Champions League, noting that Barcelona are one of the candidates to win alongside two or three other teams.
Early Season Standings and the Long European Marathon
Both Spanish giants have matched each other stride for stride out of the gate, securing victories in their opening three La Liga matches, leaving the clubs level at the top of the early standings. Yet, seasoned observers understand that three matches are nowhere near enough to determine where the title will end up.
FULL INTERVIEW Robert LEWANDOWSKI: MOURINHO'S REAL MADRID, the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE and BARCELONA
Placing Barcelona firmly among the elite frontrunners across the continent, Lewandowski emphasized that in Europe, it does not matter how you play at the start of the season, and what matters is maintaining the level throughout the rest of the year. The Polish striker noted that maintaining consistent stability and consistency through the season determines who lifts the trophies, stating his hope that in the end we can talk about Barcelona and the number of titles they have won, and that FC Barcelona finishes this year with trophies.
