Robert Lewandowski talks Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and UEFA Champions League history
The Bundesliga's goalscoring king, Robert Lewandowski, is firing up the afterburners once more as he and his Bayern Munich teammates seek to create another memorable finish to their domestic and European campaigns.
Having recently re-established their nine-point lead atop the Bundesliga standings, Lewy & Co. go into Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Spanish side Villarreal dreaming of getting their hands on what would be Bayern's seventh European Cup. For Lewandowski - a nine-time Bundesliga champion - the goal is to add even more trophies to a magnificent haul of team and individual honours.
Speaking to UEFA.com this week about his memories of making the switch from Borussia Dortmund - where he was twice a Bundesliga winner - to Bayern in 2014, the Prolific Pole said, "When I found out that Bayern were interested in me, it became very clear to me that I wanted to go. It was like going one step higher on the ladder, but I was conscious that I needed to show even more."
Watch: Lewandowski at the double against Union Berlin
After four seasons at BVB, in which he scored 103 goals in 187 games across all competitions, Lewandowski spoke of the switch to rivals Bayern as a natural progression. "On the very first day at Bayern, I knew that with the players around me I would benefit a lot every day in every training session," he said. "After two or three months, I already felt that I had become a better player."
The 33-year-old has been lighting up the Bundesliga since his arrival in Germany from Lech Poznan in 2010. In 12 seasons plying his trade in Germany's top division, he has obliterated several long-standing records and continues to post almost unheard of numbers as he bangs in goal after goal.
Referring to his first steps at Dortmund, the back-to-back Best FIFA Men's Player winner explained, "It was a very difficult decision but I knew I had to go abroad. I wanted to show everyone that I was the right striker, the right person, at the right club. I experienced a lot [at Dortmund]; I showed everyone the football player I wanted to be, and I wanted to show I could be better.
"I achieved that and I managed to show people. I am really thankful for what I achieved playing for Borussia Dortmund and for what we won. We created history for the club."
Ahead of what will be his 105th game in the Champions League, Lewandowski continues to create history with Bayern. Currently this season's leading marksman with 12 goals in European football's elite competition, the Poland international has amassed 85 Champions League goals in all, with only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi able to boast more.
With almost eight full seasons under his belt at the German giants and 339 goals scored in 367 appearances in all competitions so far, the superstar striker is continuing to make all the right moves as both he and Bayern continue to make history together.
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