After eight years and countless successes, Robert Lewandowski left FC Bayern for FC Barcelona in mid-July. This was preceded by a public exchange poker game that left a lot of scorched earth, especially in the Munich fan camp. Now the world footballer has apologized to the supporters of the German record champions.
“I know that it hurt a lot of fans. I can understand them and I can only apologize for that now. It was important and necessary for me at that moment to make it clear that I’m ready for a change,” Lewandowski told “Sport1” , when asked that he had said, among other things, that he wanted to leave FC Bayern for “more emotions in life”.
Lewandowski’s conclusion on his own much-noticed statements: “In the end, we’re all just humans, right?”
After a total of twelve years in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and most recently in Munich, the striker was certain: “I’m done here”. He only wanted to clarify that, “because it was of course not easy for FC Bayern to agree to a sale in this phase”.
All in all, it was “a difficult situation for everyone involved,” “we had to find the best solution,” said the 33-year-old, who finally switched to La Liga for a transfer fee of 45 million euros plus a possible five million euros in bonus payments.
The Polish national player recently returned to Säbener Strasse to say goodbye to club employees, the team and those responsible for sport. There were also talks with sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, board member Oliver Kahn and last but not least coach Julian Nagelsmann, with whom he is said to have had problems.
Lewandowski: That’s how it was with Nagelsmann at Bayern
“I have him [immer] said my opinion, and I think that in the end he understood me better and better,” Lewandowski said on this subject, adding: “But I have to say: I never had personal problems with Julian and I don’t have any public criticism of him either practiced his tactics.”
The two talked a lot, the exchange was very close, the striker continued. “The fact that you don’t always agree on the pitch is just part of it. But I’ve never said a bad word about Julian or Julian. I know that he has great potential as a coach. He can and will certainly win many more titles win,” Lewandowski concluded his speech in a forgiving manner, yet realizing that it wasn’t always easy between the two.
The 33-year-old remembered the farewell talk with Uli Hoeneß much better. “He said he always has an open ear for me and I can always call him if I need anything. That was very nice, he’s a great personality and I’m grateful to him but also to all the other people on the board “Lewandowski gave an insight: “It was important to me that nothing negative was left behind when we said goodbye.”
Lewandowski: There were talks with Real Madrid
The attacker, on the other hand, was a little more impressed by the reaction of his ex-adviser Maik Barthel, who pointed out after Lewandowski’s move to Barca that Real Madrid, which had had a sporty break, had previously been his goal.
“I haven’t had any contact with him for almost five years,” said the world footballer, adding: “A person’s thoughts and desires can change over such a period of time.”
Lewandowski revealed that there had been talks with Real Madrid in the past, “but nothing came of it.”
However, he always wanted to play in La Liga. “And this time when Barca came knocking, Barca was the only option for me. There were other offers but they didn’t interest me,” said Lewandowski.