BARCELONA: Polish striker Robert Lewandowski said he was aware of the “huge challenge” which awaits him at Barcelona as he was presented at the Camp Nou on Friday a week before La Liga kicks off.
The 33-year-old, who signed last month from Bayern Munich for around 50 million euros, was unveiled as a Barcelona player alongside club president Joan Laporta.
“I am very proud to be here...it is a huge challenge, not just as a striker but also to push other players to give the best of themselves,” he told a press conference.
“I know that recent times have not been easy for the club...but I know that I can be much better in the future with this team...we have enormous potential,” he added.
Lewandowski joins Barcelona in the midst of a financial crisis yet although the club have racked up debts of almost one billion euros.
He was presented on the pitch wearing the 9 on his back which belonged to Dutchman Memphis Depay last season.
“It’s a historic day...this operation was not easy,” said Laporta.
Lewandowski joined Bayern in 2014, scoring 344 goals in 375 competitive matches and broke the Bundesliga’s single-season scoring record.
But he left the German champions under a cloud after a dispute over a new contract as well as clashing with coach Julian Nagelsmann over tactical choices.
Lewandowski faces ‘huge challenge’ at Barcelona
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Lewandowski faces ‘huge challenge’ at Barcelona
- The 33-year-old was unveiled as a Barcelona player alongside club president Joan Laporta
- "I am very proud to be here...it is a huge challenge, not just as a striker but also to push other players to give the best of themselves," Lewandowski told a press conference
Nigeria’s Chukwueze calls for AFCON to get same respect as World Cup
- “Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV
Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze believes the Africa Cup of Nations should be given the same level of respect as the World Cup and the European Championship following controversy over the timing of the tournament in Morocco.
Initially scheduled to take place in the summer, this year’s AFCON was scheduled for December 21-January 18, depriving leading European clubs of key players participating in it at a crucial stage of the domestic season. “Everybody wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze told On Sports TV. “You have to respect the AFCON the same way you respect the European Championship or World Cup.”
The Fulham winger will miss six games for his club if Nigeria reach the round of 16.
“We understand they scheduled it at the wrong time of the year, but when it’s important, if you get recalled you have to go,” he said. “You don’t have any choice, your club can’t stop you and no one should say anything bad about the AFCON. Yes, they put it at the wrong time, but saying it’s not a good competition or a great competition is unacceptable.”
Chukwueze helped Nigeria secure an opening 2-1 win over Tanzania in Group C ahead of their second game against Tunisia on Saturday.
