Robert Lewandowski's feud with Lionel Messi as Barcelona transfer is confirmed

Robert Lewandowski ’s transfer from Bayern Munich to Barcelona was confirmed on Saturday in what will go down as one of the landmark deals of the summer window.

The sensational deal first came to light earlier this year when reports emerged that Barca were willing to offer Lewandowski the “Lionel Messi role” at the Camp Nou. That would mean that the Polish striker would be afforded the status and economic benefits at the club that Messi had previously enjoyed, prior to his high-profile exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Lewandowski and Messi have recently battled for the top individual prizes in football. The Poland marksman was crowned 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player in January after the Argentine superstar edged out the Poland international to win his record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title as he landed the 2021 accolade.

The Ballon d’Or decision led to multiple football legends criticising the process and claiming that Lewandowski, who broke multiple scoring records in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League with Bayern had been unfairly judged. The striker had been the heavy favourite to win the award in 2020, but they were controversially cancelled due to Covid – despite the football calendar being completed.

Following on from the two awards ceremonies, Lewandowski claimed that his award was worth more than Messi’s and told a Polish magazine, as per Marca : "I have been thinking lately and I have come to the conclusion that the FIFA award is more important.

"Only journalists vote for the Ballon d'Or, there is no clear verification. Instead, professional football and the press vote for the FIFA award. The captains and coaches of each national team can evaluate our performances in a more realistic and