Robert Lewandowski is 37. In the world of professional football, that’s basically prehistoric for a striker. You’ve probably seen the headlines or the Twitter (X) threads. People are claiming he’s "finished" or that the Hansi Flick era at Barcelona is moving past him. But if you actually look at the Robert Lewandowski stats this season, the numbers tell a story that isn't just about aging—it's about a master adjusting his tools.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how we judge him. If any other striker had 10 goals in 21 appearances by mid-January, we’d be calling it a solid season. Because he’s Lewy, we expect 50 goals by Christmas.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Lewandowski Stats This Season So Far
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. This hasn't been a "standard" Lewandowski year where he starts every single match and hammers in a hat-trick every other week. It’s been more of a slow burn.
In La Liga 2025-26, Lewandowski has netted 9 goals in 14 matches. He’s also chipped in with one assist. That sounds lower than his peak Bayern days, right? Well, look at the minutes. He’s only played about 698 minutes in the league. That’s roughly 1.16 goals per 90 minutes.
That is actually elite efficiency.
Most people just see the "9 goals" and think he’s slowing down. They don’t see that he’s been used as a tactical weapon rather than an every-minute workhorse. He’s currently averaging a goal every 77 minutes or so in domestic play. For a guy who was supposed to be a "squad player" this year, that’s genuinely terrifying for defenders.
Champions League and Other Competitions
Europe has been a bit quieter, which is where the "decline" narrative gets its fuel. In the 2025-26 Champions League, he’s made 5 appearances but hasn't found the back of the net yet.
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0 goals.
It’s a weird stat for a guy who recently hit the 100-goal milestone in the competition. However, his underlying numbers—the stuff like Expected Goals (xG) and shot-creating actions—show he’s still getting into the right spots. He’s recorded an xG of 0.6 in limited European minutes, meaning the chances are there, they just haven't clicked.
Then you’ve got the Spanish Super Cup. He just helped Barcelona secure another trophy (their third since 2022) and played a significant role in the 3-2 win over Real Madrid in early January. Even when he isn't scoring, his gravity on the pitch draws two defenders, leaving space for Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to feast.
The Hansi Flick Factor: A Strategic Shift
The relationship between Flick and Lewandowski is legendary. We all remember the 2020 treble at Bayern. When Flick arrived at Barca, everyone assumed Lewy would play 90 minutes every game until his legs fell off.
The opposite happened.
Flick is being smart. He’s managing the veteran. At the start of the season, Lewandowski dealt with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Joan Gamper Trophy and the league opener. Instead of rushing him back, Flick has been using a rotation system.
Why the "Starter" Status is Misleading
Out of the first 7 games of the season, Lewandowski only started twice.
He’s been coming off the bench to kill games.
Take the match against Real Oviedo back in September. He came on and scored the winner.
Against Valencia, he subbed in for just 23 minutes and scored twice.
This isn't a striker losing his touch; it's a striker being used like a sniper. Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford (a new face in the 25/26 squad) provide the high-intensity pressing Flick wants, while Lewandowski provides the clinical finishing when the game opens up.
Comparing This Season to the Past
Is he worse than last year? Let’s look at the trajectory.
- 2022/23 Season: 23 league goals (Pichichi winner).
- 2023/24 Season: 26 goals in all competitions.
- 2024/25 Season: A massive 42 goals in all competitions under Flick’s first year.
- 2025/26 Season (Current): 10 goals in 21 games.
At first glance, it looks like a drop-off from last year's 42-goal explosion. But last season he played nearly 4,000 minutes. This year, he’s on track to play maybe half of that. His goals-per-minute ratio is actually very similar to his first season at the club.
He’s still recording around 3.48 shots per 90 minutes, which puts him in the 88th percentile of all strikers in the top five leagues. His non-penalty xG is also still through the roof (0.61 per 90). Basically, if you give him the ball in the box, he’s still the most dangerous man on the pitch.
The "Secret" Stats: Movement and Intelligence
Stats aren't just about goals. One thing the Robert Lewandowski stats this season reveal is his evolving role as a facilitator.
He’s averaging a 73.6% pass completion rate. That doesn't sound like much until you realize he’s playing with his back to goal against some of the best center-backs in the world. He’s also winning about 1.6 aerial duels per match.
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He’s become a "reference point." He holds the ball, waits for the overlapping run from Alejandro Balde or Pedri, and then plays the simple pass. It’s selfless. It’s veteran play.
Fitness and the "Age" Myth
Lewandowski’s fitness is still freakish. He’s 186cm and weighs 81kg of pure muscle. His top speed this season has been clocked at nearly 30 km/h. Sure, he’s not winning a footrace against a 19-year-old winger, but he’s not slow.
His injury history is also surprisingly clean. Aside from the preseason hamstring tweak, he hasn't missed significant time. He’s a professional who treats his body like a temple—diet, sleep, recovery, the whole nine yards.
What to Expect for the Rest of 2026
Barcelona is currently pushing for another La Liga title and is deep in the Copa del Rey. They have a match against Real Racing Club coming up on January 15th.
Expect Lewandowski to start more frequently as we hit the "business end" of the season. Flick knows that while the kids (Yamal, Gavi, Cubarsí) have the energy, you need the "old man" for the high-pressure moments in the Champions League knockouts.
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If he stays healthy, hitting 20 goals in all competitions is a very safe bet.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking his performance for fantasy football or just out of pure interest, stop looking at "starts." Look at "minutes played."
- Watch the xG: If his expected goals stay high, the "real" goals will follow. He's currently underperforming his xG in Europe, which usually means a "burst" of goals is coming to level the curve.
- Rotation is Key: Don't panic if he's on the bench. It’s a feature, not a bug, of Flick’s 2026 tactical setup.
- The Contract Year: This is effectively the final year of his current deal. He is playing for his future—either one last extension at Barca or a massive move elsewhere. A motivated Lewandowski is a scoring Lewandowski.
The narrative that he’s washed is just lazy. He’s adapted. He’s more efficient. And he’s still the guy you want taking a penalty in the 90th minute.
To get the most accurate picture of his impact, keep a close eye on his performance in the upcoming Copa del Rey fixtures and the Champions League Round of 16. These high-stakes matches are where Flick is specifically saving Lewandowski's legs, and they will likely define whether this season is viewed as a success or a decline. Compare his output in these knockout games against his league averages to see if the "big game hunter" instinct is still intact.