A biography that exposes an uncomfortable chapter

The biography “Lewandowski. Prawdziwy” by journalist Sebastian Staszewski has sent shockwaves through Barcelona after unveiling a story that had never come to light.

According to the book, Robert Lewandowski met with several members of the FC Barcelona board — including Joan Laporta — with two matchdays remaining in LaLiga 2022–23, a season the team had already secured under Xavi Hernández.

At that moment, the striker was leading the Pichichi race with 23 goals. But during that meeting, he heard a request he had never imagined:

“Robert, we need you to stop scoring goals in the last two matches.”

A request driven by financial pressure

As detailed in the biography, the reason behind the request was purely financial.

Barcelona was obligated to pay Bayern Munich a €2.5 million bonus if Lewandowski reached 25 goals. With the league wrapped up and the club in a fragile economic situation, the board allegedly tried to avoid triggering the clause.

Lewandowski, according to the book, was stunned — no club in his entire career had ever asked him to not score goals.

He played both matches in full… but did not find the net. Even so, he secured the Pichichi ahead of Karim Benzema.

Another anecdote that reflects Barça’s financial struggles

The book also recounts a moment during a team trip when Lewandowski noticed the extremely limited options of fish and meat on the menu. When he asked the chef why, the response was blunt:

“We have to save money.”

A minor detail, but one that underscored the club’s fragile reality for a player accustomed to Bayern’s elite standards in every area — from nutrition to infrastructure.

A chapter that reignites debate over the club’s finances

These revelations once again highlight Barcelona’s economic challenges and the extent to which financial constraints have influenced internal decisions.

For Lewandowski, used to the high-level structure of Bayern, this episode likely marked a cultural shock — and now, the story is public.