Robert Lewandowski wanted to leave 'every year' as Bayern Munich legend reveals transfer requests amid Polish striker's Champions League ambitions

Lewandowski’s time at Munich was never short of goals. Despite becoming one of the club’s most reliable scorers, the Polish striker reportedly wanted to leave on multiple occasions, chasing the dream of Champions League glory elsewhere. During his Bayern spell, Lewandowski scored 238 Bundesliga goals in 253 appearances. He shattered Gerd Muller’s decades old single-season record with 41 goals in the 2020-21 Bundesliga, breaking the 40-goal benchmark first set in 1971-72.

Former Bayern board member Rummenigge revealed the reality of Lewandowski’s repeated requests in an interview with Kicker. He said: "He came to me every year and said he had an offer from a top club. I said: 'That's great, and proof that we've signed the right player.' But he really wanted to win the Champions League. I told him: 'You can win that with Bayern Munich, too.'"

Despite dazzling numbers and consistent domestic dominance, six Bundesliga top scorer titles among them, the polish attacker was restless, pressing for moves elsewhere. The biggest goal he craved, the Champions League, only came in 2020 under Hansi Flick.

Rummenigge further added: "That was one of the best days I've ever experienced. We had an extraordinary year with Hansi Flick. That day, after the game, I said: 'You see, Robert, you can also win the Champions League with Bayern Munich.' He was incredibly happy."

Since joining Barcelona in 2022, Lewandowski has kept up a remarkable scoring rate. With 71 goals and 17 assists in 107 La Liga appearances. In 2024-25, he notched 27 goals in 34 league games, his best La Liga season yet. He also became the first player in Europe’s top five leagues that season to reach 30 goals across all competitions, hitting that mark by February. Under Flick, he remains a central attacking figure, contributing not only with goals but with his hold-up play, movement, and leadership.

Lewandowski rejected the chance to move to Saudi Arabia despite multiple offers. The 36-year-old forward wanted to continue in La Liga and as the club build under Flick, he is crucial not just for his scoring, but for how he guides the attack, the younger players, and helps in tight matches. His contract situation, which  is expiring in 2026, looms large but club leadership has reason to consider renewal should this form continues.

Additional reporting by Christian Guinin.