Robert Lewandowski’s four-year spell at Barcelona came to an end on Saturday as the Catalans fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Valencia.
It was a disappointing outing for Barcelona, but Lewandowski’s only goal was a silver lining, as the Pole ended his career entering the top ten club, in Barça’s all-time goalscorers’ list.
With 120 goals, Lewandowski has indeed entered a club that includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rivaldo, among others.
Here, at Barça Universal, we will take a look at five players Lewandowski has beaten in terms of scoring record at the club.
Hristo Stoichkov
Barcelona’s Bulgarian star in the 90s, Hristo Stoichkov, was a star during his time in Catalonia. He joined from CSKA Sofia in 1990 and soon became one of the defining figures of Johan Cruyff’s legendary ‘Dream Team’.
Hristo Stoichkov is a legend in his own right. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Across two stints at the club (1990-1995 and 1996-1998), Stoichkov struck up a devastating partnership with Romario and Michael Laudrup, helping Barça to four consecutive La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994, along with the club’s first-ever European Cup in 1992.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1994 after a stellar World Cup campaign with Bulgaria. Known for his ferocious left foot and combative temperament, Stoichkov scored 117 goals in 255 appearances for the Catalans.
Neymar
The Brazilian arrived at Camp Nou in 2013 from Santos amid massive fanfare and quickly justified the hype as part of the famed ‘MSN’ trident alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
In four seasons at the club, Neymar lifted two La Liga titles, three Copas del Rey and, most memorably, the Champions League in 2015 – Barcelona’s last European triumph.
He scored 105 goals in 186 appearances before his world-record €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017.
Luis Enrique
A Barcelona icon as both a player and a coach, now coaching PSG, Luis Enrique made the bold move from arch-rivals Real Madrid to the Catalans in 1996 and quickly won over the Camp Nou faithful.
Versatile enough to operate across midfield and attack, the Asturian was a relentless runner and a reliable finisher, scoring 109 goals in 300 appearances over eight seasons.
He won two La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and the Cup Winners’ Cup as a player. Lucho later returned as manager and led Barça to the historic treble in the 2014-15 season.
Ronaldinho
The Brazilian magician’s arrival in 2003 marked the dawn of Barcelona’s modern renaissance.
Lewandowski has outscored even Ronaldinho. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
He won two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League, while picking up the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Ronaldinho scored 94 goals in 207 appearances and, perhaps most importantly, laid the cultural and footballing foundation upon which the Pep Guardiola era was later built.
Pedro
A product of La Masia, Pedro Rodriguez rose through the ranks to become an unsung hero of Barcelona’s most decorated era.
The Tenerife-born forward made his senior debut in 2008 and quickly carved out a role under Pep Guardiola, contributing to the historic sextuple in 2009.
In seven seasons at the club, Pedro lifted five La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies and a host of other honours, scoring 99 goals in 321 appearances.