Barcelona superstar staring at an impossible challenge in the Champions League

Barcelona veteran superstar Robert Lewandowski is one of the most lethal goalscorers in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

The Poland international has already played 133 matches in Europe’s most prestigious tournament, and this Thursday he begins his 15th consecutive campaign chasing the big trophy.

Lewandowski has lifted the trophy once in his career with Bayern Munich and dreams of repeating the feat at Barça, once again under the guidance of Hansi Flick.

Last season, Barça fell just short after a thrilling semi-final against Inter Milan. Even so, the 37-year-old striker’s numbers were outstanding: 11 goals in 13 games (level with Harry Kane, just two shy of top scorers Raphinha and Guirassy).

The impossible challenge

Lewandowski’s 11 strikes last season in Europe took his all-time tally in the Champions League to 105 in 133 games.

The Barcelona veteran is the third-highest goalscorer in the competition, with only two players ahead of him – Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (129) – two of the greatest of all time.

The third-highest goalscorer in CL history. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

As such, Lewandowski is staring at an ‘impossible challenge’ to go past their tally in the Champions League.

Messi sits 24 goals ahead of him, and the Barcelona striker would likely require at least two prolific seasons in the competition to touch that tally. As far as Cristiano’s record of 140 goals is concerned, it seems pretty much out of reach.

But the Pole can rest assure of his place on the podium at least for the next few seasons. After all, the next names on the list – Karim Benzema (90), Raul Gonzalez (71), and Thomas Muller (57) are all either retired or playing in a different continent.

The next active player in Europe happens to be Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe with 57 goals – nearly 50 behind the Barcelona ace.

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