‘He leaves as a legend’ – Barcelona interim president pays tribute to Lewandowski

Earlier right this moment, Robert Lewandowski introduced that he’ll depart FC Barcelona on the finish of the present season, when his contract expires.

The 37-year-old famous person striker will carry an finish to a really profitable four-year stint in Catalonia, throughout which he has scored 119 targets and received three La Liga titles, amongst different trophies.

Barça have been open to extending his contract by one other yr, albeit with a diminished wage and a secondary function within the crew. Nonetheless, the Poland captain has determined that it’s time for a brand new problem in his profession.

Rafa Yuste says goodbye

And, Rafa Yuste, Barcelona’s appearing president till Joan Laporta formally assumes workplace, has praised Lewandowski’s professionalism and legacy following the striker’s announcement.

“He arrived as a star and leaves as a legend. Over the previous 4 years, he has been an enormous assist to the younger gamers, fairly aside from his high quality and targets; he’s an incredible participant, top-of-the-line quantity 9s in historical past,” Yuste mentioned.

“He has taught this younger squad an important deal; he’s a job mannequin, due to his professionalism, the way in which he takes care of himself and the way in which he performs soccer. I want him and his household all the perfect from the underside of my coronary heart.”

Confidence in Deco over future signings

Requested about the way forward for Barcelona’s assault and the membership’s switch plans following Lewandowski’s confirmed departure, Yuste prevented discussing particular names however expressed full confidence within the membership’s sporting division, led by director Deco.

“We’re going to give attention to the top of LaLiga. We have now an important technical director in Deco, and I’m completely sure he’ll know what to do,” he mentioned.

Barcelona have their sights set on Chelsea striker Joao Pedro because the No. 1 goal to exchange Lewandowski, having all however dominated out a transfer for his or her former precedence, Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.

Nonetheless, any transfer would rely upon the membership’s Monetary Honest Play state of affairs, and Yuste expressed whole confidence that Barça can be again to La Liga’s 1:1 spending rule this summer time.

“The 1:1 rule? The workers, the technical division and the finance crew are doing an important job, which makes me very optimistic,” he clarified.

Supply: SPORT