Polish forward Robert Lewandowski has publicly pushed back against critics suggesting his age is diminishing his elite performance, despite acknowledging a strategic shift towards managing his playing minutes.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, whose contract with the Spanish club concludes next summer, recently scored one of Poland’s two goals in their victory over Lithuania on Sunday. This marked his 87th goal for his national team.
Speaking to TVP Sport, Lewandowski dismissed claims about his decline. “When they talk about me, they say I’m old, that I can’t run, that I don’t have the desire or that I don’t work,” he stated. “That’s nonsense. Just look at the distance I ran.”
The captain of the Polish national team, who will turn 38 next summer, emphasized his enduring capability. “I feel I still have a lot to give,” Lewandowski asserted, adding that he remains physically fit in training.
He acknowledged the necessity of adapting his approach to the game. “Of course, I’m aware of my age; playing fewer minutes can benefit me throughout the season,” he said.
However, he cautioned against others exploiting his age. “That doesn’t mean I have to be a victim of age; there are people who take advantage of that,” Lewandowski noted. “I don’t expect to play 90 minutes in every match, I see football differently.”
Despite this, he maintains confidence in his on-field impact. “Once on the field, I know I can handle it and age doesn’t make much difference because I’m still physically fit in training, I still stand out,” he concluded. “It’s not like I disappear!”