Robert Lewandowski has set a new goal-scoring record at Barcelona as boss Xavi Hernandez has confessed “surprise” at the striker’s humility.
Lewandowski netted twice in Saturday’s three-goal win over lowly Elche at the Camp Nou, bringing his tally at his new club up to 11 goals in just eight appearances. The Poland international is averaging a goal every 57 minutes for Barca with his instincts in the box proving decisive.
The striker's transfer to Barcelona from Bayern Munich was completed earlier this summer in what was the most eye-catching arrival of a busy transfer window at the Camp Nou, as the Catalan giants transformed their squad.
His impact at Barca has been instant with no player in the club’s history scoring more goals in their opening eight matches at the club. Indeed, his remarkable record even includes his blank in the opening day scoreless La Liga draw against Rayo Vallecano, along with his failure to find the net against former club Bayern in Barca’s two-goal Champions League defeat last week.
Lewandowski’s two goals against Elche were added to his braces against Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid respectively, while he also found the net in Barca’s La Liga wins at Cadiz and Sevilla. Furthermore, he bagged a hat-trick in the Champions League triumph over Viktoria Plzen.
No other player in the club’s history has made such an instant impact in terms of scoring goals – with his eight La Liga goals at this stage surpassing the previous best for the club at this stage, which was the six goals of former Brazilian striker Romario.
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Xavi told a post-match press conference after the Elche clash: "What has surprised me is his human qualities. He is humble and the ultimate professional. We had no doubts about the other (sporting) qualities."
Xavi also covered a host of other issues including that of Ousmane Dembele, who became a father this week just months after signing a new long-term contract at the club. The Frenchman’s future had been under great speculation before he committed to extending at the Camp Nou.
Xavi added: "He is playing at a high level. He has been a father and he has not slept much, but he wants to play. He likes to play. He is involved and has a tremendous level of commitment. I am satisfied and happy that he is here. It gives me a feeling of security, that he can be success. Of course he can also be a failure. But, for now, he is a success. He deserves to go with the (French) national team."
