Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski has parted ways with a sponsor reportedly backing Russia’s autocrat Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
In terms of football, he is beyond any doubt and morally, Robert Lewandowski seems to have his heart in the right place. According to Polish media reports, the FC Bayern striker has canceled Huawei’s sponsorship because the Chinese company has apparently provided technological support to the Russian military and has allegedly also offered Russian hackers help to better attack Ukraine.
Lewandowski has been an ambassador for Huawei since 2015, which has become known in Germany for its smartphones, among other things. The group confirmed the end of the partnership with Lewandowski to “AFP”.
Financially, the FC Bayern attacker is on a bed of roses, reportedly earns 20 million euros a year with Munich. Nevertheless, the financial loss caused by the termination of the cooperation with Huawei should hurt him. Accordingly, the Polish national player waives around five million euros a year.
Ukraine war: Lewandowski with a clear message
Lewandowski had already sharply criticized the invasion of Russia a few days ago and sent a signal with a captain’s armband in the colors of Ukraine. “What just happened is unacceptable for all of us. Nobody thought that something like this could happen. It hurts. I hope the whole world supports Ukraine. I have great respect for the people of Ukraine and I stand behind them “explained the Bayern star.
In terms of sport, Lewandowski continues with FC Bayern on Tuesday evening (21:00) against RB Salzburg. After the 1-1 in the first leg, which according to Thomas Müller is “not a dream result”, the Munich team have been warned.
Bayern have only failed once in the last ten years in the round of 16 – in 2019 against eventual winners Liverpool FC, also after a draw on a foreign pitch (0:0/1:3). The drop is enormous, an out against a club from the ski nation, which is often ridiculed in football, would be an embarrassing novelty.
“I’m not a pessimist and I don’t assume that we’ll be eliminated,” said coach Julian Nagelsmann. In order to prevent this, however, the offensive game must also be “modified”, as Müller demanded: Lewandowski, Nagelsmann admitted, does not get enough balls.