Lewa's big interview: Bayern will be powerful even without me, they don't need a classic 'nine'

Harsh words were exchanged, the parting of Robert Lewandowski and Bayern Munich was marked by disagreements and accusations, but in the end, only the good things are remembered.

And the Pole will surely have something to remember: eight Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian club, one Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup, three German Cups and twice as many Super Cups of that country. The fall of a record half a century old, which was held by Gerd Müller and 300 other individual awards. The Polish goalscorer left all that behind, turned to Barcelona, however, every now and then he will talk about the best period of his career.

He went through all the topics in an interview for SPORT1. Successes and struggles in the giants from Bavaria, the welcome to the Nou Camp and the future in Barcelona, ​​the connection with Real Madrid, the possibilities of Bayern without him...

Robert Lewandowski was welcomed by 57,000 fans at the traditional presentation of the biggest signings at the Nou Camp. There weren't that many souls in the stands even when Barcelona promoted Ronaldinho or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"The feeling is incredible! I didn't expect there to be so many fans. And it doesn't matter to me that there were more fans at my presentation than when Ronaldinho or Ibrahimović were promoted. Those were different times anyway. But it's really nice when you get that kind of support right from the start. It remains in your memory forever", Robert Levandosvki began his conversation with SPORT1 and immediately touched upon the transition to a new environment:

"I needed a change, going to another country and moving to another club. I feel like a child who got a new toy".

The Polish goal-machine did not forget about the people who pushed him forward throughout his career, they were all present at his presentation in the Catalan club. From family, through friends, to people with whom he collaborated during the previous years. Only one person was missing...

"My dad would be very proud and pleased. When I was a child, he always told me that he believed that one day I would reach the highest level. He motivated me to achieve my dreams. I miss him and I'm sad that he couldn't experience all that, all that I achieved in Dortmund, Munich or what I will do in Barcelona. Still, I'm sure he's sitting up there in the front row and looking at me proudly."

All sorts of things have been going through Lewandowski's head since he left Bayern. A lot of harsh words were spoken before the parting, but relations have since been smoothed over. Last week he went to Munich to say goodbye to his teammates, coaches and the rest of the staff.

"It was strange to go to training for the last time. The club and the city mean a lot to me, my two daughters were born in Munich. I said goodbye to everyone in the club. There are no two opinions about the period I spent at Bayern. Just one. What we have done and experienced together, as a team, in eight years - no one will and cannot take that away from us. When I remember the five goals against Wolfsburg, 41 goals in the Bundesliga, six trophies with Hansi Flick - those were wonderful moments".

The Polish striker left through the back door of the Allianz Arena instead of the main gate.

"That is it how is it. We wrote history together and I always gave 100 percent. Everyone in the club knows that. Mutual respect and gratitude kept us going. Bayern will always be in my heart. When I said goodbye, I exchanged friendly words and shook hands with people from the management. In the end, the positives outweigh the negatives. I spoke again with Hasan Salihamidzic, Oliver Kahn, and also with Uli Hoenes, who told me that I can always call him if I need anything. It was a very nice gesture, he is a great man and I am grateful to him, but also to everyone else. It was important to me that there should be no negative things at the farewell," said Lewandowski and added:

"I will miss a lot - the club, the fans, the city, above all the atmosphere in the dressing room. I built a connection with my teammates, with the employees. But as a person who looks to the future, it was time to start a new chapter".

Lewandowski scores his first Barcelona goal

Lewandowski was fed up with Bayern, Munich, and the Bundesliga. He wanted to leave the club at any cost, and in order to let everyone know how determined he is in that intention - he hurt the Bavarians with his statements. He is aware that in that "war" he did not choose the means to reach the goal. He made a mistake and now he regrets it.

"I know that I hurt many fans with my statements. I can understand them and I apologize to them on this occasion. At that moment, it was important for me to make it clear to the club that I was ready for a change. After all, we're all human, right? After 12 years in Germany, I knew it was over. I wanted to be crystal clear, because it was not easy for Bayern to accept the sale. It was a difficult situation for everyone involved in the story and we had to find the best solution".

When he returned to Munich, fans shouted "Hala Madrid" to him in the street.

"I heard that and laughed. But there were also those who called my name. Nice of them. In the past few weeks I have also met several fans on the street, they have expressed their understanding of my decision and wished me the best".

The Pole had disagreements with many people in Munich during the last months, including Julian Nagelsmann.

"I have always been very clear in my communication with the coaches. Anyone who knows me knows that I say what's on my mind loud and clear. I told him what I thought and my estimation is that he eventually understood. But I have to say that I have never had any personal problems with Julian Nagelsmann, I have never publicly criticized him or his tactics. I have never said a bad word about him, but I can disagree with certain ideas. He has great potential as a coach. He can and will certainly win many more titles".

Real Madrid was Lewa's dream club, but he ended up in Barcelona...

"There used to be talks with Real Madrid, but nothing came of it. I always wanted to play in La Liga, that was clear to everyone. And when Barca knocked on the door, it became the only option for me. There were other offers, but I wasn't interested in them."

Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman won trophies in Munich, and the Frenchman recently said in an interview that Karim Benzema is a better striker. The new 'nine' of Barcelona knows why.

"I saw that interview. King (Coman, author's note), of course, had to say that, because he still plays with Benzema in the national team. Now seriously: I look at myself and my team, not others. I look forward to matches like El Clasico. Benzema is an excellent striker. The most important thing is to win the trophy with Barça, everything else is irrelevant".

The Polish striker believes that Bayern will continue to dominate without him.

"Bayern are and will remain among the best teams in Europe. It could be seen in the first games of this season. I have no doubt that they will score goals even without me. I am sure that other players will score more goals than they did in previous years. They have enough quality that they don't need a classic 'nine'".

Sebastian Haller was Robert Lewandowski's first pick for Bundesliga's top scorer.

"Haller was actually the first candidate to be the best scorer, but he is seriously ill. I hope he recovers quickly and we will see him on the field soon. Bayern has a lot of players who can score a lot of goals."

There are high expectations from Jamal Musiala, who, although the season has just started, has already managed to score three goals.

"Bambi is special, he is a great talent, like Pedri, Gavi or Ansu Fati in Barça. It is impressive how quickly he matured and adapted to Bayern's level, but also how much he works on himself and wants to learn. It's amazing, and so is the way he dribbles. He will be even better, I am convinced of that. A great future is ahead of him, time is working for Musiala".

Time works for Musiala, Lewandowski has passed his prime, but this does not worry the Barcelona striker in the least.

"Years are just a number. I feel great and in great shape. I won everything with Bayern, now I want to win everything with Barca", concluded Robert Lewandowski for SPORT1.