Robert Lewandowski said Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo motivated him (Image: Rio Ferdinand presents)
Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski has opened up about how Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo inspired him to win them an award. The Polish powerhouse, who made his mark with Borussia Dortmund before a trophy-laden spell at Bayern Munich, has been breaking records and winning silverware ever since.
In 2022, he replaces the Argentinian left by Messi at Barcelona, following the Argentinian's transfer to PSG. Rather than being intimidated by the prospect of sharing the limelight with Messi and his rival Ronaldo at the pinnacle of European football, Lewandowski always saw it as a challenge.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways, the prolific striker confessed that Messi and Ronaldo were way above his level, but acted as motivation – and he used that motivation to beat them and win a prize.
“I used them, yes. I used them, of course, not as inspiration, but to try… to lead me,” Lewandowski revealed to Ferdinand.
“Not to beat them, but to break records, goals, the level I reached. Of course, I didn't want to compare myself to Lionel Messi or Cristiano, never as a footballer, because, of course, they are on a different level, in different worlds.”
Lewandowski has faced the pair a total of 13 times so far in his career, tasting defeat in seven clashes. His Polish side were thwarted by Argentina in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and Ronaldo's Portugal beat them this year in the Nations League and the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, reports the Mirror .
“But I’m very happy,” he added. “I was already a few years behind them, or even some years where I could beat them, like the best player in the world two years in a row, against them.
Lewandowski spoke to Ferdinand (Image: Rio Ferdinand presents)
“So, for me, I think I never dreamed of that, of being like Lewandowski, Messi and Ronaldo, who is going to win the title of best player in the world FIFA, you know. I was there and I I won.”
His humility shines even more given his remarkable achievements; not only has the 36-year-old been named FIFA Men's Player of the Year twice, beating Messi and Ronaldo in 2020 and 2021, but he also owns the European Golden Boots from those stellar seasons.
Lewandowski's glittering trophy case features an incredible 10 Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and a Liga crown won with Barcelona, among a myriad of other cups. Yet he remains grounded and refrains from positioning himself alongside the iconic duo, instead drawing motivation from their careers.
Listen to Rio Meets Robert Lewandowski in full interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1979328/lewandowski-messi-ronaldo-rio-ferdinand