Lewandowski eyes UEFA Champions League 100-goal milestone, edging closer to the ranks of Messi and Ronaldo in Europe’s elite goal-scorers.
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]arcelona’s star striker, Robert Lewandowski, is on the brink of history, closing in on the elite 100-goal club in the UEFA Champions League.
Lewandowski netted his 99th goal during Barcelona’s recent 5-2 win over Crvena Zvezda, bringing him within striking distance of the milestone shared only by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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With four games left in this season’s group stage, football analysts and fans alike are keen to see Lewandowski join the select group of Champions League goal giants.
Messi holds 129 goals, while Ronaldo leads with a record 140. However, TNT Sports pundit Rory Smith suggests Lewandowski might be able to chase down Messi’s tally.
“It’s not impossible that he catches Messi,” Smith observed. “Thirty more goals, two more years, fifteen a season. He’s quite old, but he famously eats his pudding before his main course.
He’ll be going! And he’s going to have at least eight games per season to do it in. So it’s not impossible.”
Lewandowski’s Champions League journey began in 2011 with Borussia Dortmund, where he scored his first goal in a loss to Olympiacos.
Since then, the Polish forward has scored in 65 Champions League matches, recording 58 wins and only two losses.
Upcoming fixtures give Lewandowski ample opportunity to reach 100 goals. Barcelona are set to face Brest later this month, followed by matches against his former club Dortmund, Benfica, and Atalanta to close out the group stage.
Lewandowski’s experience and skill have been further complemented by Barcelona’s youthful, energetic squad, a dynamic highlighted by former England international Karen Carney. “You’ve got the young players to do the running, which is always helpful,” Carney noted.
Joe Cole, a Champions League veteran himself, praised Lewandowski’s prolific scoring record. “That’s incredible, Lewandowski, 99 goals… Look at the company he keeps!” Cole said.
With his sights set on joining Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski’s pursuit of the 100-goal milestone has captivated fans, adding to his storied Champions League legacy.
As he closes in on this achievement, the world will be watching to see if he can further challenge Messi’s and perhaps even Ronaldo’s records in European football.
Source: Read more at freelanews.com
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
