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Robert Lewandowski says Lamine Yamal is a 'fantastic person' and in league of his own

The conversation was quite chaotic, with the hosts mainly asking questions sent in by viewers via the live chat. There were plenty of questions about the everyday life of Robert Lewandowski, but football-related topics also came up.

Before the chat with Lewandowski, the charity event organiser confirmed that Jan Bednarek had reached out and announced that children from the Cancer Fighters Foundation would have the chance to meet players from the Poland national team and attend their next match. During the conversation, Lewandowski confirmed this and then joked that he might have said too much. Fans took this as a hint that he does not plan to retire from the national team, even though Poland did not qualify for the World Cup.

Messi or Ronaldo?

"That's a tough one. At one point, I competed against both of them. Everyone has their own preferences, so I won't pick a side. Of course, now that I play for Barcelona, I'm closer to Leo, especially since we live in the same area. But I won't answer that question. It's a topic that will always intrigue fans. There will always be debates about who achieved more, who scored better goals."

Is there one defender you found the hardest to play against?

"I always found it tough going up against Sergio Ramos. I enjoyed playing against him, but he was a real beast. Whenever I knew I was about to face him, I felt it would be a great match and some exciting duels."

Who do you get along with best at Barcelona?

"At first, there was a big gap between me and the younger generation of players. But after a while, I started getting along really well with the younger guys, like Gavi and Lamine Yamal. And of course, Wojciech Szczesny is in a league of his own. Naturally, at first, I connected more with those who spoke the same language, like Marc-Andre ter Stegen in German or Frenkie de Jong in English.

"But now, it's mainly with the younger players - we joke around a lot, I tease them, they tease me. Sometimes, when I hear what 18-year-olds talk about, as an experienced player, I have to mentally go back 20 years."

What is Yamal like off the pitch?

"As a person, he's really great. Of course, the world around him will be a challenge for him. It's not easy to play at this level at such a young age. But as a person, he's fantastic. He knows where he is and how much work he still has to put in. His image in the media is completely different from what he's like in person. It's not easy to start your career at such a high level. I'll be rooting for him to have the inner strength and motivation to keep going. No one at that age is really ready to be where he is."

Who do you think will win the Champions League this season?

"I think it will be either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern."

And could Arsenal surprise everyone with their more physical style?

"You know, first they have to get through the semi-final against Atletico. But looking at the way PSG and Bayern are playing, I think whoever wins that tie will go on to win the Champions League."

Which goal do you remember most in your career?

"The first thing that comes to mind is my first goal at the National Stadium against Greece at Euro 2012. Then there's the fifth goal against Wolfsburg, when I scored five times in nine minutes, and the goal against Villarreal for Barcelona, when I turned, and two defenders slid past me."

 

Who was your favourite coach? The one who shaped you the most and helped you the most?

"Klopp and Guardiola."

Is Guardiola as tough as they say?

"Some players might find it hard with him. If he sees your potential and believes in you, he's demanding. But if you treat it as something that will help you develop and become better, you can really benefit from it."

Any advice for young footballers?

"This isn't just for footballers, but also for the kids from the Cancer Fighters Foundation - never give up. Have dreams and pursue your goals. Often, people around you will try to tell you what's best for you, but it's important that you know what's best for yourself and listen to your inner voice. I think that's the most important thing for young kids."

The best club of your career and the one you remember most fondly?

"Above all, I always played for clubs I wanted to play for and fulfilled my dreams. I think that's the best way to sum it up. I am where I wanted to be, and it's hard to wish for anything more."

Do you plan to become a coach after your playing career?

"After so many years in football, I think I'll want to do something else when I retire. Take a bit of a break. Maybe one day I'll miss it, but when will that be? I don't know. The life of a coach is really tough."

Who's your best mate in the Poland national team?

"In the current squad, I'm closest with Jakub Moder and Karol Swiderski. A few friends from my generation have now left the team."

Are you still in touch with Marco Reus, with whom you were friends at Borussia Dortmund?

"I haven't been in touch with him recently. Since he moved to the team in Los Angeles, we've had less and less contact. But I did speak with Thomas Muller recently. I asked him how he's enjoying playing in Canada, since it's really cold there. He's a great guy, very positive. He always talked a lot, always had something to say, but on the pitch, those conversations really helped. He understood football very well and could read the tactical side of the game. I really enjoyed playing with him."

 

Do you think Poland could have won Euro 2016?

"I'm not sure about winning it, but if we had made it to the semifinals, we probably would have reached the final too. Wales were very tired and had a lot of suspensions, so there was a good chance that if we had played them in the semis, we could have beaten them."

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