The 37-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, saying the time had come for a change.
"After four years of challenges and hard work, it is time for change. I leave with a sense of mission accomplished. Three league titles in four seasons. I will never forget the love the fans showed me from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth", he wrote.
Lewandowski joined from Bayern Munich ahead of the 2022/23 season for 45 million euros, plus five million in potential bonuses. He made an immediate impact, finishing as La Liga's top scorer with 23 goals in his debut campaign and helping the club collect seven trophies in total, including three league titles, the Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.
His role diminished this season. He started only 15 of his 29 league appearances, scoring 13 goals, with fitness issues becoming more frequent.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed he had spoken with Lewandowski, who also addressed the squad to say his farewells.
"Working with him is a privilege. He is a professional who operates at the highest level every day and gets everything he can from his body. He is a role model for younger players. Since he wanted a change, it is good for him and for the team, because we will be able to rebuild a little. He is a fantastic human being and a world-class footballer", Flick said.
Barcelona's official account on X posted: "Came as a star. Leaves as legend. Thank you, Robert Lewandowski, for every goal, every battle, and every magic moment wearing these colours".
Lewandowski has not announced his next destination. Reports have linked him to Saudi Arabia, the United States and the Italian league, with WP Sportowe Fakty reporting that Al-Hilal are interested and that he could earn up to 90 million euros per season.
A career of records
Born in Warsaw on August 21, 1988, Lewandowski rose through Polish football before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2010 for EUR 4.5 million. With Dortmund he won two Bundesliga titles and reached the 2013 Champions League final. He then moved to Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014, going on to win the Champions League in 2020 and claim eight Bundesliga titles.
His most celebrated individual season came in 2020/21, when he scored 41 Bundesliga goals — breaking Gerd Mueller's long-standing record — and won the European Golden Boot. He was named FIFA Best Men's Player for 2020 and 2021. The only major individual honor to elude him was the Ballon d'Or; he finished second in 2021, the highest placing ever by a Polish player.
With 109 Champions League goals, he ranks third on the competition's all-time scoring list, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (129). Across his club career he has won 33 trophies.
For the Polish national team, Lewandowski holds records for both appearances (165) and goals (89). His international future remains secure despite a turbulent period in 2025 when then-coach Michał Probierz stripped him of the captaincy, prompting Lewandowski to withdraw from selection. Probierz resigned shortly afterward, and his successor Jan Urban swiftly reinstated Lewandowski as captain.
Lewandowski will play his final game for Barcelona on Sunday when the already-confirmed champions host Betis Sevilla at Camp Nou.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio