Robert Lewandowski has solidified his legacy as one of many most interesting strikers of the twenty first century, leaving an indelible mark at each membership he’s performed for—Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and now FC Barcelona. Along with his two objectives towards Brest within the UEFA Champions League, the Polish ahead joined an elite membership of gamers, reaching a milestone that was beforehand held by solely two legends: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a vital Matchday 5 conflict on the Olimpic de Montjuic, Barcelona confronted Brest with the purpose of securing direct qualification to the Spherical of 16. Lewandowski made his presence felt early, profitable a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Marco Bizot. The Polish striker calmly transformed the spot-kick within the tenth minute, bringing his Champions League aim tally to 100.
Solely two different gamers have reached the 100-goal mark in Europe’s premier competitors: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo was the primary to attain the feat, scoring his a centesimal aim for Actual Madrid in a 2017 quarterfinal towards Bayern Munich—11 years and eight months after netting his first Champions League aim.
Messi, who scored all his objectives for Barcelona, adopted swimsuit by hitting the century mark in March 2018, 11 months after Ronaldo, when he bagged a brace towards Chelsea.
At 36 years previous, Lewandowski continues to defy the passage of time, remaining a pressure in European soccer. He’s at present the highest scorer of the 2024-25 Champions League, with 7 objectives in 5 appearances. Alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski has been a key participant in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona aspect, contributing 22 objectives and a pair of assists in 19 matches this season.
How far is Lewandowski from reaching Ronaldo and Messi?
With 101 objectives to his title, Lewandowski’s subsequent aim within the Champions League will likely be to match or surpass the data set by Ronaldo and Messi. However how far is the Polish striker from the 2 legends?
Messi, at present the second-highest scorer in Champions League historical past, has netted 129 objectives in 163 appearances. Ronaldo, the all-time prime scorer within the competitors, leads with 140 objectives in 183 video games.
Lewandowski, with 125 Champions League appearances (together with the match towards Brest), has fewer video games underneath his belt. To surpass Messi, he wants 29 extra objectives, and to interrupt Ronaldo’s document, he would wish 40. On condition that Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona runs till June 2026, and at 36 years previous, it appears a frightening activity. Nevertheless, his present kind means that, for him, age is only a quantity.
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