Robert Lewandowski Declined Massive Offer from Saudi Arabia
Robert Lewandowski declined a €200 million offer from Saudi Arabia to stay at Barcelona, but his eventual departure was influenced by other factors.
Robert Lewandowski had the chance to become one of the highest earners in Saudi Arabia this past January, but he turned it down. The Polish striker's decision was influenced by his desire to continue playing for FC Barcelona, and the circumstances surrounding his eventual departure from the club.
Since the summer of 2026, Lewandowski has been playing for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS). However, his move to the MLS was not his only option. According to his agent, Pini Zahavi, a substantial offer was presented by Al-Ittihad from the Saudi Pro League. Zahavi revealed to SportoweFakty that Lewandowski had a two-year contract proposal worth €100 million per season, totaling €200 million, which he declined in favor of remaining at Camp Nou.
Laporta's Commitment to Lewandowski
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, was keen to keep Lewandowski at the club. Zahavi, who has had a friendship with Laporta for over three decades, stated, "Joan Laporta loves him, really! And he wanted Robert to play one more year at Camp Nou." However, Laporta does not interfere in sporting decisions.
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Ultimately, Lewandowski's departure from Barcelona was influenced by Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco, who were unable to guarantee him a starting position for the 2026/27 season. Zahavi emphasized that this certainty was more important to Lewandowski than the financial offer from Saudi Arabia.
A Shift in Plans
When it became clear that Lewandowski would leave Barcelona at the end of his four-year contract, he was open to the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia. Zahavi explained that the minimal time difference between Riyadh and Warsaw, along with the shorter distance to Poland compared to the United States, made the option appealing, especially considering the lucrative salary.
However, the Saudi offer was retracted. Zahavi noted that the Saudi officials had adjusted their spending policies and that regional conflicts played a role in their decision-making. He concluded, "A year ago, everything would have been very different."
