Robert Lewandowski has stated that Barcelona requested he reduce his goal output late in the 2022–23 season to prevent activating performance-related payments owed to Bayern Munich, highlighting the club’s financial strain during that period.
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski has claimed that club officials approached him toward the end of the 2022–23 campaign with a request to temper his scoring form in order to avoid triggering an additional payment to Bayern Munich linked to his transfer.
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The Poland international joined Barcelona in July 2022 for a reported €45 million plus performance-related add-ons, following a prolific eight-year spell in Germany.
The forward scored 23 goals in 34 La Liga appearances in his debut season, playing a decisive role in securing Barcelona’s first league title since 2021. However, his arrival coincided with a period of significant financial pressure for the club, as president Joan Laporta pursued a series of economic measures to remain compliant with LaLiga’s financial regulations.
Lewandowski indicated that Barcelona were looking closely at every expense, including contractual bonuses tied to his goal tally. While he emphasised his respect for the club and acknowledged understanding the broader financial context, he revealed that the situation occasionally influenced his mindset, creating hesitation in moments where instinct would typically prevail.
🚨 Robert Lewandowski on Barça asking him not to score last year to avoid paying bonuses to Bayern: “I don’t really want to talk about. I have too much respect for Barcelona and for the people who work there. I was aware of the situation the club was in. There were many other… pic.twitter.com/xyoXZhkJZv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 29, 2025
