The Bizarre Reason Robert Lewandowski Did Not Join Real Madrid

It is very well documented and a poorly kept secret that Real Madrid tried to sign legendary Polish forward Robert Lewandowski multiple times over the years.

Not only when he was at Borussia Dortmund, winning league titles and scoring pokers against Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League semi finals, but also during his long and successful stint with fellow German outfit Bayern Munich too.

Although he turned into a bonafide club legend and the club’s second all time top goalscorer, Karim Benzema was seen as disposable for large periods of the 2010’s, and Lewandowksi was seen as his successor and upgrade. Just how close it was to happening has never really been reported. Until now.

Indeed so, as Spanish media outlet Diario AS (as relayed by theMadridZone) are reporting the bizarre story as to how Lewandowski ended up signing for Bayern instead of Los Blancos back in the summer of 2014. 

They state that the reason came down to the Pole’s off field interests. His contract offer on the table at Real Madrid included clauses prohibiting him from skydiving, horse riding, skiing and “other high risk activities”. So, due to his interest in adventure sports, he chose the German giants instead, who allowed him to do these activities.

This comes despite the fact that, as per the report, Real Madrid's offer of €8.6m annually and a bonus of €10.95m was higher than what Bayern offered the player. So, it is clear to see these activities were and are very important to the player. 

Some people may say that you should be allowed to do what you want off the pitch, in your own free time. However, you can see why the club would prohibit this. For example, back in December of 2022, after Germany had been knocked out of the World Cup, Bayern's Manuel Neuer went skiing and broke his leg. He was out for around 10 months as a result. 

Hell would break loose if that ever happened to a Real Madrid player. During his eight years with Bayern, no such thing happened to Lewandowski, but the club simply see it as a risk not worth taking. In the end, Benzema stayed as the starting striker for another nine years, and well it was a very successful time for him, particularly in the final five years. So it all worked out in the end, for everybody really. Listen, fair play.