BAYERN MUNICH’S talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski looks to be on the move, after eight memorable seasons. The 33-year-old Polish striker said: “My era at Bayern is over.
“I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club any more.” Lewandowski – who won 19 trophies during his time at Bayern – has sparked a transfer battle between some of Europe’s top clubs. While we all know about his goalscoring talent, here are nine things you probably didn’t know about Lewandowski…
There’s a reason he’s called Robert…
Ever wondered why he’s called Robert and not something more typically Polish? It’s all down to his dad, Krzysztof, who was determined to make him a professional footballer. Lewandowski Sr gave him the name so it would be easier for people across Europe to use when fame and fortune inevitably came calling. Canny and prophetic parenting, then.
He eats his dessert before his main course…
What fresh madness is this? Yes, it transpires that Lewandowski always has his pudding before he has main course. And then ends his meal with a starter. But why? Well, Lewandowski believes it not only helps him to burn fat faster but it also makes him more energetic too. It’s a ritual that his team-mates at Bayern Munich still can’t get their heads around. “They still don’t understand,” he says. “They shake their heads when they see me finishing with some soup.”
He’s had a street named after him in Poland…
Lewandowski is such a star back home in Poland that the residents of Kuznia Raciborska, in the south of the country, renamed a street in his honour last year. The road was previously named after General Karol Swierczewski, considered a hero of the country’s Communist regime.
He’s in good company…
Robert Lewandowski shares his birthday – August 21 – with sprint king Usain Bolt, basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain and, er, Nigel Pearson.
He credits his wife Anna with fitness…
Anna Lewandowski won the bronze medal at the 2009 Karate World Cup and is also a heath, fitness and nutrition expert with a degree in Physical Education. She’s also written books on fitness and fronted workout DVDs. And she’s passed on her knowledge to her husband too who, as his former manager Pep Guardiola says, is the fittest, most professional player he’s ever worked with.
Dortmund’s gain was Blackburn’s loss…
But for his flight to the UK being grounded, because of the ash cloud after the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland in 2010, Robert Lewandowski could have been playing his football in England. But where? Manchester United? Chelsea? Man City? No. Blackburn Rovers. That’s right, after then-Rovers boss Sam Allardyce flew out to Poland to meet with Lewandowski, the striker was due to jet over to Lancashire to seal the deal – but the disruption to all air travel meant he never made the trip. …Which is when Borussia Dortmind nipped in. “I thought Allardyce was a good guy, a very good coach,” said Lewandowski later.
He’s had some divine assistance…
Everybody knew that Lewandowski was destined for the big time. When he was a boy, everybody – from family to teachers and even the local clergy – were determined to help him make it. On the day of his first Holy Communion, the priest completed the service in double quick time… just so Lewandowski could make it to kick-off for a match. And he did, changing into his kit on the way there and then scoring too.
He was a late developer…
When the Lech Poznan coach Franciszek Smuda was sent on a scouting mission to watch the teenage Lewandowski, he returned home after 15 minutes, unimpressed by the striker’s spindly physique. “If I wanted to see trees I would have gone to the forest instead,” he said.
He’s not your average footballer…
Lewandowski completed his degree in Physical Education at the Warsaw School of Education in Sport. With a thesis based on his own career entitled: ‘RL9. Path To Glory’, Lewandowski was also awarded the highest possible grade in his degree. A top marksman on and off the pitch, then.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
