Robert Lewandowski’s first UEFA Champions League goal of the season for Barcelona carried added significance beyond ending his European drought. The strike means the Polish forward has now scored in 16 different editions of the competition, drawing level with Cristiano Ronaldo and Thomas Muller. It also moved Lewandowski to 39 different Champions League opponents, one short of a Barcelona record set by Lionel Messi.
Lewandowski moves within one opponent of Messi’s Barcelona UCL record
Lewandowski opened his account in this season’s UEFA Champions League and, in doing so, edged closer to one of the most notable records set by Messi in a Barcelona shirt. The goal ended his drought in Europe this campaign and added another milestone to his personal Champions League résumé at the club.
The Barcelona striker has now scored in 16 different editions of the Champions League, a figure that puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo and former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller. According to the report, only Messi and Karim Benzema sit above that trio on the list.
There is also a specific Barcelona landmark within reach. Messi scored against 40 different teams while playing for the club, and Lewandowski is now on 39 after finding the net against Slavia Praha. Mundo Deportivo reported that Barcelona’s upcoming clash against Copenhagen on the final matchday of the first European phase could allow Lewandowski to draw level with Messi’s mark.
The campaign has also been unusual for Lewandowski in other ways, with the striker sharing the starting role more often with Ferran Torres and Barcelona rotating at the top of the attack. Despite that, his output has remained steady: Lewandowski has scored 11 goals and registered two assists in 23 appearances out of a possible 31 matches so far, keeping his average close to what he produced in his first season at the club.
