With only two rounds remaining in the 2022-2023 La Liga season, Robert Lewandowski met with Barcelona officials who requested he stop scoring goals. At that point, the Catalan club had already theoretically secured the league title, and the Polish striker was leading the scoring charts with 23 goals.

The unusual request from Barcelona's management was purely financial. The club was contractually obligated to pay Bayern Munich a 3 million USD bonus as part of the summer 2022 transfer agreement if Lewandowski reached 25 goals, a payment the club aimed to avoid.

Prior to a 26/12 YouTube interview with Polish journalist Bogdan Rymanowski, details of Barcelona's request had already generated buzz in Poland. Journalist Sebastian Staszewski first revealed the story in mid-November in his biography of Lewandowski, titled "Lewandowski: The Real Story." The striker himself confirmed in a press conference while on national team duty that he was reading the book and found it "very interesting."

The biography details that during the final La Liga rounds of the 2022-2023 season under Xavi Hernandez, Lewandowski attended a private meeting with several Barcelona leaders, including President Joan Laporta. A leader then made a proposal that reportedly stunned the former Bayern striker: "Robert, we want you to stop scoring in the final matches."

"Lewandowski looked at him in surprise," the book recounts. "The league title and the top scorer award were already decided, but in over a decade of playing at the highest level, no one had ever asked him to stop scoring."

"There are things I prefer not to discuss," the 37-year-old striker stated in the interview. "I have great respect for Barcelona and its staff, and I understand the club's situation, as there are many issues to address concerning the team's interests."

Lewandowski elaborated, "The issue at the time involved a significant bonus. Barcelona was facing financial difficulties and had to meticulously account for every USD. My not scoring more goals wouldn't have affected me personally. I had no issue with that bonus, and it wasn't tied to my salary, but it lingered in my mind, making me question whether I should score."

Lewandowski did not score in the final two rounds that season. However, he still secured the top scorer title and made crucial contributions to Barcelona's La Liga championship.

Lewandowski at his Barcelona unveiling ceremony with President Joan Laporta in summer 2022, after his transfer to Barcelona in La Liga.

In his conversation with Rymanowski, Lewandowski also discussed his future. His contract with Barcelona is set to expire in June 2026, and he has not yet signed an extension. If the situation remains unchanged, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs from 1/1/2026.

"I don't discuss offers from other clubs with the head coach," he stated. "The issue is not about a 50% salary reduction. The decision will depend on the club's wishes and what I believe is best. There is still time to decide. I feel no pressure and currently do not know which path I will choose."

This season, Lewandowski's scoring form has declined compared to his three previous seasons at Barcelona, attributed to injuries and fitness issues. He has currently scored only 8 goals, all in La Liga, playing a total of 916 minutes across all competitions. Last season, the striker, who notably missed out on the 2020 Ballon d'Or due to the pandemic's cancellation of the award, scored 42 goals across all competitions, contributing to Barcelona's domestic treble.