Today we see him with trophies, in the spotlight, as one of the best strikers in history. But did you know that Robert Lewandowski’s career almost ended before it had properly begun?
Here are 3 turning points in which “Lewy” (as he is known in Poland) showed what a winning mentality really means:
1. “Too skinny for a career”
As a teenager Robert was very short and extremely slim. Many coaches wrote him off, saying that “nothing will come of those skinny legs”. What did Robert do? Instead of giving up, he started working twice as hard on his strength and fitness, turning his build into an advantage in terms of speed.
2. A blow from the club he loved
This was the hardest moment. At 18, after a serious injury, Robert was told at Legia Warsaw that they would not renew his contract because he “would never get back to his old form”. He was left without a club, still grieving his father, who had recently died, and with a huge question mark over his future.
What did he do? He did not fall apart. He took a step back – he moved to third-tier Znicz Pruszków, a small club near Warsaw. There he proved that greatness is built through humility and hard work from the ground up.
3. The “wooden” striker in Dortmund
Even after his move to the Bundesliga, things were not easy. At first, fans and the media in Germany mocked his finishing, calling him “Lewandoofski” (German doof – stupid/useless). Robert did not argue with journalists. He stayed behind after training, practised his finishing and learned the new league until he became its king.
What does this story teach young footballers?
- Rejection is not the end: If one coach does not believe in you, find a place where they will – and keep working.
- Patience is a strength: Success does not come in a week. Robert built his form over years.
- A step back can be the start of a leap forward: Sometimes moving to a club that looks weaker on paper is the best decision for your development.
Today’s message: If you are finding things hard today, remember the boy from Warsaw who was told he was not good enough. Today that boy inspires the whole world. ✨
Frequently asked questions
What obstacles did Robert Lewandowski face as a young player?
As a teenager he was short and very slim, so many coaches wrote him off. At 18, after a serious injury, he was told by Legia Warsaw that the club would not renew his contract. After his move to Borussia Dortmund, the media mocked his finishing.
What did he do after leaving Legia?
He took a step back – he moved to third-tier Znicz Pruszków, where he rebuilt his form and proved that greatness is built through humility and hard work from the ground up.
What does this story teach young footballers?
Three things: rejection is not the end, because you can always find a place where someone believes in you; patience is a strength, because success does not come in a week; and a step back can be the start of a leap forward.
