Barcelona and Poland football circles have been dealt a sharp blow after it was confirmed that veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a torn thigh muscle, an injury likely to sideline him for several weeks.
The news emerged on Tuesday when Barcelona officially disclosed that the 37-year-old had sustained a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his left thigh. “Lewandowski has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh. His recovery time will depend on how the injury evolves,” the club said in their statement.
The diagnosis comes at a pivotal moment in Barcelona’s campaign, with the club already grappling with a mounting injury list. Manager Hansi Flick now faces the task of reorganizing his attack as his squad prepares for crucial fixtures, including the looming Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26.
Spanish media have reported an estimated recovery period of four to six weeks — a window that would almost certainly rule Lewandowski out of that marquee match.
Lewandowski picked up the injury while on international duty, having played the full 90 minutes for Poland in their 2–0 World Cup qualifying victory over Lithuania. He even scored in that match, but discomfort in his left thigh prompted further medical examination upon his return to Barcelona.
The timing could not have been worse for Barcelona. The Catalan outfit already have several key names sidelined, including Raphinha, Gavi and Dani Olmo, while goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is recovering from back surgery. As such, losing Lewandowski — even temporarily — further exacerbates the depth issues in an attack where alternatives are limited.
In international play, Lewandowski had already addressed the subject of his fitness and age earlier in the window. “I don’t want to say I’m a victim of my age… once on the pitch I know I can handle it,” he said, emphasizing that while he may not expect to play 90 minutes in every match, he still feels physically prepared to contribute. Those comments, made before the injury was confirmed, now take on a poignancy given his present circumstance.
From a tactical standpoint, Barcelona will likely have to adjust their approach without a consistent No. 9. In recent matches, Ferran Torres has occasionally drifted into that role, and with Lewandowski’s absence, Flick may be compelled to lean more heavily on that option or look to alternative attacking configurations.
The injury also raises questions about Lewandowski’s future at the club. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and in recent weeks there has been speculation about whether he will stay beyond this campaign. His agent, Pini Zahavi, has not shied away from acknowledging doubts about his long-term position. The forced time on the sidelines may influence those discussions.
For Poland, the implications are also serious. The Polish national side has relied heavily on Lewandowski over the years, both for his goal threat and leadership. Losing him during qualifying could force them to reconfigure their attack and seek alternate scoring outlets.
Barcelona’s medical staff and coaching team will now enter a delicate balancing act: pushing for Lewandowski’s swift return without risking re-injury or aggravating the damage. His recovery will likely proceed through phases of rest, controlled reinforcement, physiotherapy and gradual reintroduction to training.