In the pantheon of legendary strikers, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski stands as one of the all-time greats. A striker of unerring accuracy, the former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich striker has spent his entire career breaking scoring records and winning titles.
A ten-time Bundesliga winner, Lewandowski can score with either foot, is one of the best headers of the ball in world soccer, and is ice-cool in front of goal.
A big, strong, and explosive striker, Lewandowski can play as a lone striker or as a forward pair, and regardless of how many players seem to mark him, he always finds a way to score goals.
It wasn’t always destined to be, though, as in his early life, Lewandowski was more interested in other sports, despite joining a local soccer team at the age of eight.
His family’s influence, especially his father’s, who had always hoped his son would forge a soccer career, eventually made Lewandowski decide to pursue soccer professionally.
It’s lucky for us that he did, as the Polish international would go on to become one of the greatest strikers in the world.
Today, we’re going to look at Robert Lewandowski’s family history; it’s an incredible mix of determination on Lewandowski’s part and the support and encouragement of his family that’s seen the striker become one of the most feared marksmen in history.
Lewandowski’s Parents
- Father: Krzysztof Lewandowski – former National Judo champion
- Mother: Milena Lewandowski – former soccer player
Robert Lewandowski was born in Warsaw on August 21, 1988, to parents Krzysztof and Iwona Lewandowski.
Both his father and mother were successful athletes, with his father, Krzysztof being a national Judo champion and his mother being a former soccer player herself.
Both parents encouraged their children to enjoy sports, and the young Robert enjoyed several outdoor activities from an early age.
Lewandowski’s father was so keen on his firstborn becoming a professional soccer player that upon the birth of their son, he chose the name Robert, as he felt it would be a much easier name to pronounce should his son move abroad to play.
With such incredible foresight, it’s little wonder that Lewandowski was a keen soccer player, and with the support and advice from his athlete parents, the future star learned from an early age the importance of taking care of his mental and physical well-being.
It’s advice that the player has clearly kept close to his heart, as where many players decline with age, Lewandowski has seemingly improved, scoring more goals every year.
The evergreen striker has matured like a fine wine, and much of that stems from his parents. Understanding the need to train well, rest properly, and maintain perspective, Lewandowski’s career looks far from over.
Sadly, despite being a massive part of his son’s early career, Krzysztof Lewandowski never had the chance to see his son make it to the top of the soccer world, as he passed away in 2005.
The same year, his son would move to Delta Warsaw and quickly progress, turning into a highly sought-after player. In 2010, Lewandowski would be snapped up by Borussia Dortmund, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Early Years and Journey to Professional Football
From an early age, Robert’s inclinations towards football were evident. Growing up in a household where sports was a staple, Robert was inspired by both his parents. His father, Krzysztof, not only excelled in judo but also played football for Hutnik Warszawa. On the other hand, his mother, Iwona, showcased her athleticism on the volleyball court playing for AZS Warszawa.
Lewandowski initiated his footballing journey with Varsovia, dedicating seven years of his budding years there. By the age of 16, the promise in his talent paved his way to Delta Warsaw, and from there, there was no looking back. Making significant strides, he joined Znicz Pruszków in 2006, where he became the top goal scorer in the Polish third division and then subsequently led the second division in goals.
Rise to Stardom
Lech Poznań, a notable club in Poland’s top-tier football, recognized Lewandowski’s mettle and in 2008, brought him onboard. Here, he played an instrumental role, clinching the Polish Cup (2008-2009) and the Polish SuperCup (2009) for the team.
The young striker’s accolades were just beginning. Joining Borussia Dortmund in 2010, he thrived under the mentorship of coach Jürgen Klopp. Not only did he secure back-to-back Bundesliga titles for the team in 2011 and 2012, but his contribution was also pivotal in Dortmund’s journey to the UEFA Champions League final during the 2012-2013 season.
2014 marked another milestone as Lewandowski donned the Bayern Munich jersey. At Bayern, his consistent and impactful performances played a key role in securing several titles, including multiple Bundesliga championships and the UEFA Champions League. His relentless quest for perfection led to him breaking the record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga season, further garnering the accolade of Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2020.
Siblings
- Sister: Milena Lewandowski (born 1985)
Robert Lewandowski has one sibling, a sister called Milena Lewandowski, herself a very talented athlete. As well as encouraging their only son to become a sportsperson, Krzysztof and Iwona Lewandowski helped their daughter Milena, who is three years older than her brother, to forge a career in volleyball.
The two Lewandowski children have always had a close relationship, having spent their childhood together and being part of a family who spent as much time together outside as possible.
It’s a testament to their parent’s guidance and encouragement that both Robert and Milena Lewandowski would spend much of their early lives honing the skills that would eventually allow them to become superb athletes in their respective fields.
Like her brother, who stands at 1.85m tall, Milena is also a tall, athletic build, ideally suited to life as a professional volleyball player.
Robert and Milena still enjoy a close relationship to this day, with Milena often being seen in the stands at soccer games where her brother was no doubt scoring goals for fun.
Wife
- Wife: Anna Lewandowski
One of Robert Lewandowski’s most trusted advisors is his wife, Anna Lewandowski, a former Bronze medallist at the 2009 Karate World Cup.
Not only is the Poland international’s wife a former athlete herself, but she is also trained to be a sports nutritionist and ensures her husband eats the right foods to stay at the top of his game.
A graduate of the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, Anna is ideally placed to control how her soccer player husband looks after himself while not at his club.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both have superb medical and nutritional departments. They will have looked after Lewandowski while at the club; the same is true at his current club Barcelona.
However, what happens when a player goes home is up to them. While you’d be unlikely to see Robert Lewandowski tucking into a MacDonalds, having his wife Anna there to ensure his body is in absolutely top condition is one of the reasons why the Poland international is only getting better with age.
After every game, the husband and wife dissect Lewandowski’s performance from the game, looking for ways to improve his performance.
Looking for any edge he can, the Lewandowski’s have even begun eating their dessert before their main course. Eating carbohydrates before their main meal usually consists of more vegetables than meat.
Having a supportive wife obviously makes life much easier for an athlete, but the cooperation between Robert and Anna Lewandowski takes things to a whole different level of support.
From looking for any way to find an extra 1% to make sure Robert gets enough sleep, Anna Lewandowski is arguably the most critical influence in his sporting career.
The Family Man
A peak into Lewandowski’s personal life reveals a doting father and a loving husband. Often, glimpses of precious family moments are shared on his social media. The importance he accords to family is evident as he carves out time from his demanding schedule to spend quality moments with them.
Anna, apart from being a supportive spouse, plays an integral role in Robert’s health regimen. The couple often collaborates on health and wellness projects, the RL9 Sport food line being a notable venture.
Children
- Daughter: Klara Lewandowski (born 2017)
- Daughter: Laura Lewandowski (born 2020)
The Lewandowski family has been blessed with two daughters, Klara and Laura. While little is known of the two girls, as their parents rightly want them to remain out of the limelight at an early age, there have been many trophy celebrations at Bayern Munich where the Lewandowski’s have walked the pitch as a family.
While there is every chance Robert Lewandowski can and will play elite soccer for several more years, the family unit looks complete. Perhaps after retirement, the Lewandowski family may grow even larger.
Still, after over two decades of a disciplined lifestyle as an elite striker, you’d forgive the Lewandowski parents for wanting to relax with their daughters and enjoy a Macdonalds!
Balancing Professional and Personal Life
Achieving a harmonious balance between a successful football career and family commitments is no mean feat.
How Lewandowski balances his career with family responsibilities:
- Clear Separation: Robert ensures a clear demarcation between his professional and personal life. While at home, football takes a back seat, allowing him to focus on his family.
- Time Management: Despite the rigorous training schedules and match preparations, Robert schedules regular time-offs to rejuvenate with his family.
- Strong Support System: The unwavering support of his wife, kids, and parents is a cornerstone of Robert’s life. Additionally, his close-knit circle of friends and advisors play an essential role in maintaining his equilibrium.
The Untold Stories
- Krzysztof, Lewandowski’s father, died in a tragic accident when Robert was 16.
- Krzysztof was a mentor and major supporter for Robert.
- Robert considers his father’s death as a pivotal moment, pushing him to excel in football.
- Anna, Lewandowski’s wife, is a karate black belt with a bronze medal from the 2013 World Karate Championships.
- Anna is also a businesswoman and motivational speaker.
- Robert’s daughters, Klara and Laura, are avid supporters, watching his matches regularly.
- Robert cherishes his time with Klara and Laura, viewing them as a source of inspiration.
- Robert’s charity work includes the Robert Lewandowski Foundation, supporting youth in Poland.
- He’s also contributed to other organizations, such as the Red Cross and UNICEF.
- Robert is a devout Catholic, often speaking about the role of faith in his life.
