Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed a remarkable story about Robert Lewandowski. The Polish player offered to give up part of his salary when Barça was going through difficult times.
For several years, Barcelona has been financially struggling due to a combination of high player wages, large transfer fees, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically reduced matchday and commercial revenues.
The club has been working hard to recover from a precarious financial situation, which has often made it difficult to register new players within the limits set by La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. These rules are designed to ensure clubs operate within their means, and Barcelona's financial challenges have required them to be particularly strategic about player signings and salaries.
During a recent press event, Barcelona president Joan Laporta shared a touching story about Robert Lewandowski, the club's star forward. According to Laporta, Lewandowski demonstrated his dedication to the club in an extraordinary way. 'I want to specifically mention Lewandowski,' said Laporta. 'He is a player who is fully committed to the club. When he heard that we were having trouble registering players due to Financial Fair Play regulations, he offered to reduce his salary. I greatly appreciate that. I told him it wasn’t necessary.' Lewandowski's gesture showed not just his professionalism, but also his willingness to support the club during a challenging time, further endearing him to Barcelona fans and management alike.
Ultimately, Barcelona was able to find a solution to their registration issues without requiring Lewandowski to take a pay cut. This allowed them to register new signings, including Dani Olmo, who joined the club this summer. Olmo's registration marked a significant achievement for Barcelona, as it indicated that the club was starting to emerge from its financial constraints. According to Laporta, the club is generally moving in the right direction, both financially and in terms of its sporting ambitions. 'Three years ago, we were in a risky situation. Now, the club is doing much better, both on the sporting and financial fronts,' Laporta said, highlighting the progress that has been made in stabilizing the club’s finances.
Laporta also emphasized that Barcelona's sporting priorities are aligned with their financial recovery. 'We are very happy with Olmo as a signing; that was the priority,' Laporta explained. Olmo is seen as a valuable addition to the squad, bringing creativity and skill to Barcelona's midfield and attack. Laporta also expressed satisfaction with the club's new coach, Hansi Flick, who was brought in to lead the team following a period of managerial changes. 'And we are very pleased with our new coach, Hansi Flick. His experience and tactical knowledge will be invaluable as we look to compete at the highest level again.'
In addition to focusing on new signings and coaching changes, Laporta stressed the importance of Barcelona’s renowned youth academy, La Masía. 'Furthermore, the talent from La Masía will again be our foundation,' he noted, reaffirming the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent. La Masía has been a cornerstone of Barcelona’s success over the years, producing world-class players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta. By continuing to invest in its youth academy, Barcelona aims to build a strong foundation for future success.
Laporta also provided updates on the club’s current players, expressing optimism about the squad’s potential for the upcoming season. 'We hope to have Frenkie de Jong back after the international break and later Gavi as well,' he said, referencing two key players who are currently sidelined due to injury. Both De Jong and Gavi are integral to Barcelona's midfield and are expected to play significant roles once they return to full fitness.
Laporta concluded his remarks by expressing his confidence in Lewandowski’s future performance, predicting that this season could be his best yet. 'And I am firmly convinced that this will be Lewandowski's best year. He is razor-sharp and more motivated than ever,' Laporta stated. Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich, has already made a significant impact with his goal-scoring ability and leadership on the pitch. With the club’s financial situation improving and a renewed focus on both new signings and homegrown talent, Barcelona is looking to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite football clubs.
As Barcelona continues to rebuild both on and off the pitch, the support of players like Lewandowski and the strategic decisions made by the club's management are critical to its ongoing recovery. Fans remain hopeful that the club will soon return to its former glory, competing for titles in Spain and across Europe.
