Barcelona veteran faces choice between retirement or staying on for a few more seasons

Hansi Flick’s decisions and tactics in the early part of the season suggest that the manager is slowly phasing out Robert Lewandowski, and understandably so, given his age.

While the Polish star has given a good output in his minutes this season, the plan quite clearly is to minimise his minutes and conserve him for the big games.

Ferran Torres, instead, has operated as the team’s stand-in central striker.

It is clear that the Polish star will have a significant role to play for Barcelona this season, especially as the season progresses and reaches the knockout stages in various competitions.

What is unclear, however, is his future beyond this season.

Two options

As it stands, the 37-year-old’s contract with Barcelona ends next summer, and his future, as relayed by SPORT, hangs in between two options.

As Lewandowski nears the end of his Barcelona contract, he sees only one of two ways that his career progresses – permanent retirement or continuing on the field for another year or two in Europe.

Lewandowski will not move to Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

His family, especially his wife, prefers the player staying in Catalonia, but the striker himself is yet to make a decision.

Needless to say, his decision will be dictated by Barcelona’s renewal offer, his prominence in the field, and his fitness.

As it stands, it is impossible to predict the forward’s next move, but what is clear is that he does not see a move to Saudi Arabia as a possible option.

If Lewandowski continues, it will be with Barcelona or in Europe, but not outside the continent.

So far this season, the veteran has made seven appearances and three starts for Barcelona in La Liga and has four goals to his name.

In the team’s latest game against Sevilla, however, he missed a penalty that would have levelled the scores and possibly turned the tables.