"I wanted to be behind them, or beat them in some things" - Lewandowski on how he competed with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Barcelona centre-forward Robert Lewandowski has opened up in an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on how he competed with legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Lewandowski is widely renowned to be one of the best strikers the world has seen, and continues to impress with his abilities.
He has scored 14 goals in La Liga already this season, and also bagged a couple of assists. La Blaugrana acquired his services from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. He has starred for them by scoring 78 goals in 112 matches across all competitions so far.
The Poland international is known for his versatility inside the box, and is appreciated for his sharpshooting skills. Following four years at Borussia Dortmund, the 36-year-old shifted base to the Allianz Arena in 2014 and spent eight memorable seasons there.
In the interview with Ferdinand on the latter's YouTube channel, "Rio Ferdinand Presents", the Pole opened up about how he competed with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I used them to push myself to break records and score goals. I don't mean that I wanted to break their records, they are from another world, but I wanted to be behind them, or beat them in some things. I wanted my name to be with them, in the nominations for the winners of the awards,” he said.
While the Pole faced Messi four times, he squared off against Ronaldo as many as nine times across club and country.
Robert Lewandowski has played a crucial role for Barcelona this season
The 16 goal contributions that Lewandowski has bagged this season have helped Barcelona lead the league standings. They are six points clear of their old foes Real Madrid at the top, and have 33 points inside their kitty. In 13 games, the Catalan outfit has already scored a staggering season-high 40 goals in the domestic league. The Polish centre-forward has been vital for most of their attacking play this campaign.
Lewandowski has taken up the role left by Lionel Messi at Barcelona after the latter left the club in 2021 to go to Paris Saint-Germain. Along with his rival Cristiano Ronaldo (who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia), Messi has now moved out of European football and plies his trade for Inter Miami in the MLS.