Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona’s striker, has opened up on why he no longer takes the team’s penalty kicks.
The Polish forward said he stepped aside because he does not feel fully confident or in rhythm this season, mostly due to limited playing time.
As a result, younger players like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha now handle penalties for Barcelona under coach Hansi Flick.
Lewandowski has a strong record from the spot, scoring 89 out of 101 penalties in his career, an 88% success rate. But he missed two penalties earlier this season, against Sevilla FC and Atlético Madrid.
Even so, the 37-year-old striker is still delivering on the pitch. He has scored 16 goals and provided 3 assists in 37 games across all competitions.
His game time has been limited, though. Since December, he has started only five LaLiga matches and played roughly 1,950 minutes overall.
On his decision, Lewandowski explained that “when a player does not play often, it affects confidence during important moments like penalties.” He added that sometimes other players who feel more confident should take the shot.
He also clarified that stepping back was not because of the penalties he missed, but due to his reduced minutes on the field.
Lewandowski has missed five games this season with injuries, including a muscle issue and a broken cheekbone.
