Robert Lewandowski will also play for Barcelona next season. The 36-year-old striker had a clause in his contract that was activated on Saturday night due to his playing minutes against Las Palmas.
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The Polish goal machine made the move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, signing a four-year contract at Camp Nou.
His arrival was seen as a statement of intent from the Catalan club, which was eager to regain its dominance in Spanish and European football following a transitional period. Lewandowski was brought in not just for his goal-scoring prowess but also for his leadership and experience, qualities that Barcelona hoped would help them compete at the highest level once again.
From the start, Lewandowski proved to be a crucial asset for Xavi Hernández’s side, adapting quickly to La Liga and becoming the team’s main attacking reference. In his debut season, he won the Pichichi Trophy as the league’s top scorer, helping Barcelona secure their first league title since 2019. His importance to the team was reflected in his contract, which, according to Spanish media, included a specific clause regarding his third season. The clause stipulated that if the striker played at least 45 minutes in a minimum of 55 percent of Barcelona’s matches, his final contract year would be automatically triggered, ensuring his stay at the club until 2026.
Lewandowski reached that percentage in La Palma, where Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas. The match was another demonstration of the Polish striker’s consistency and reliability, as he was in the starting lineup and played the entire match. With his presence on the pitch, he ensured that the contract extension was activated, solidifying his commitment to the club for another season. Despite speculation about Barcelona’s financial struggles and the need to adjust their wage structure, this clause now guarantees that Lewandowski remains a key part of the squad going forward.
So far this season, Lewandowski has played at least 45 minutes in 34 of Barcelona’s 38 matches, showing his durability and continued importance to the team. In La Liga, he was only limited to 30 minutes against Valencia, missed the league encounter against Real Mallorca, and did not feature in Copa del Rey matches against Real Betis and Valencia. Apart from those exceptions, he has been ever-present for the Blaugrana, continuing to be their most reliable source of goals.
Looking ahead, Barcelona’s schedule remains packed with potentially as many as 61 official matches by the end of the season: 38 in La Liga, 15 in the Champions League, 6 in the Copa del Rey, and 2 in the Spanish Super Cup. With crucial fixtures still to come, including Champions League knockout rounds and a tight domestic title race, Lewandowski’s presence will be vital for Barcelona’s ambitions.
However, even if he were to miss the rest of the season due to injury or rotation, it would not affect his contractual situation. His performance against Las Palmas already secured the 55 percent threshold required to trigger the extension clause, ensuring that his contract runs until 2026. This development provides stability for both the player and the club, as Barcelona continues to navigate financial challenges while maintaining key squad members.
For Lewandowski, staying at Barcelona for an additional year allows him to keep competing at the top level in European football, while also continuing his legacy as one of the best strikers of his generation. Having already cemented himself as the club’s top scorer with 32 goals in 35 games, he remains an integral figure in Barcelona’s attack. The extension of his contract now removes any immediate doubts about his future, allowing him to focus entirely on helping Barcelona achieve success on the pitch.
