Barcelona striker has been playing with muscle discomfort since the World Cup – report

Reports have surfaced recently highlighting the discomfort of Robert Lewandowski, who has a problem with his spine and had to play against Girona with a special belt.

Lewandowski’s discomfort surfaced during the day of the Girona game, with the striker featuring in only ten minutes of training. Earlier, he was reportedly suffering from a back problem he incurred during a duel with Eder Militao against Real Madrid.

In an update, Catalunya Radio claims that Robert Lewandowski’s recent problems can be linked to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The forward had picked up an injury in the coveted event and has been playing with muscle discomfort ever since.

The said injury was believed to be a small muscle tear. It is hard to ascertain whether or not Lewandowski’s discomfort has affected his performance on the pitch. But the forward has clearly endured a massive dip in his scoring form, with only four of his 17 league goals coming since the turn of the year.

Lewandowski’s dip in form has been consequential for Barcelona, who have been knocked out of both cup competitions. The Pole came out goalless in the Catalans’ 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey semifinal last week, where the player himself has confirmed he picked up a knock.

It must also be noted that Lewandowski’s performances have been affected by the absence of Ousmane Dembele as well. Alongside the Frenchman, the striker had recorded 1.08 goals and assists per game, but without him, he has racked up only 0.58 g/a.

But with 17 goals to his name, the former Bayern Munich superstar is still the top goalscorer in the league and has played a critical role in helping Barcelona build a formidable lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona will now be hoping that Lewandowski ends the season on a good note and possibly reach 25 league goals by the end of the campaign.