Lewandowski: 'Winning the World Cup takes luck'

- What does winning the second European Golden Shoe in your career mean to you?

- It means a lot, because I know how difficult it is to score goals, including many important ones. I'm very happy and proud to win the Golden Shoe for the second time in a row, but it's not just me scoring goals, it's the team's goals.

- What do you think about winning the third Golden Shoe, when Erling Haaland is flourishing recently?

- I never thought about that. I'm not thinking about scoring a lot of goals just to win this award, it's just something extra at the end of the season. I always try to do my best, not only to score goals but also to help the team. At Barca, I not only scored but also moved flexibly. When I score, many people say I'm still good. If not, they'll say I'm bad, but I'm not. Barca's style is very different and I have to adapt and prove myself capable of doing more than just scoring goals.

- What is the reason why Barca was eliminated from the Champions League group stage?

- I know that in our first season at Barca we will not win every trophy. Barca is still in the process of rebuilding and needs time. This is part of the process. Barca should have progressed in the Champions League, but we learned a lot, especially when the club has so many young players. We make a few mistakes and at the highest level you have to be ready. It doesn't matter how, you have to learn how to win. It doesn't matter if you play well or badly, because getting three points is the most important.

- When do you think Barca can return to the same level as before?

- I think even within a few months you can clearly see the progress we have made. At the beginning of next year, Barca can play better and develop further as a team. We will even be much better and more consistent next season. In football, you can win many matches in a short time. Barca recently had many injuries and instability. When that happens, you will be in trouble in the Champions League. We were also out of luck. Barca also have to play under the new system, with many new players. That makes things even more difficult. But now, we learn many things and can move forward.

- Why did you leave Bayern to join Barca?

- Leaving Bayern was a very difficult decision, but I knew it was the right time to leave. At Bayern, I was in control of everything and in my comfort zone. But I want to leave to have a long career and continue to be happy. I know Barca, playing in La Liga has been the best decision, both personally and professionally, since the beginning of negotiations with the club. My dream has always been to play in La Liga.

Also, I don't want to play my whole career for one tournament. That's another reason, even if I won everything at Bayern. I will always be proud and grateful for that time. But in my mind, I knew I had to go to Barca. Now I have a new happiness.

- The 2022 World Cup is about to start. In your opinion, is the tournament taking place in the middle of the season a good thing or a bad thing?

- I don't know, but this must be something new for everyone. Playing the World Cup in the middle of the season is a huge challenge. Personally, I feel ready, but the participating teams have difficulty because there is almost no time to prepare. This is part of the challenge, you have to be ready and give your best despite what's going on.

- How do you rate Poland in the 2022 World Cup?

- A challenge awaits, as Poland falls into a tough group. The matches will be very intense. At the World Cup, it's important to know how you're going to play. Having the tournament take place in Qatar in the middle of the season is a huge challenge. We have to be ready, fight from the first minute and no matter how difficult it is, you have to give your best.

- He attended the World Cup for the first time on the bench, with the head coach being Paulo Sousa. What do you see different from Sousa and current coach Czesaw Michniewicz?

- Each coach has different thinking and ideas. We knew the position of head coach would change before the World Cup play-offs and passed. With the new coach, we played a few games and knew we had to keep going. We are ready with the plans of Michniewicz and Poland will be a tough opponent for all.

- How many goals do you predict to score at the 2022 World Cup?

- It depends on how many chances I get. For me, what is more important is what Poland wins. If I can score a lot of goals and help Poland play well, that's great.

- Poland is in Group C with Argentina. What do you think about their title candidate status?

- Argentina with Lionel Messi is one of the candidates to win the World Cup. They are unbeaten in the last 30 matches, play well and have a quality squad. Argentina has a clear plan, and the whole team adheres to it.

- There have been rumors about the possibility of Messi returning to Barca. What do you think about the possibility of playing with Messi?

- Messi is excellent with great passes to strikers. Messi always plays well with the strikers. He knows how to get the ball into the box or pass over the line, and is the best in the world at that. I don't know what's going on, but as a striker, playing with Messi would definitely be a dream.

- Many people say that football "debts" Messi the World Cup championship. What do you think about this statement?

- If you look at football in the last 10 or 15 years, the two main characters are Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. When arguing about who deserves to win the 2022 World Cup, these two names will come up. Messi and Ronaldo are legends. On the other hand, this is football and you can never predict anything, because the matches are always dramatic and unpredictable. It is difficult for anyone to repeat Messi's achievements, as his wonderful story continues. Now Messi is dreaming of winning the World Cup. This is the big challenge. This is the World Cup and you never know what will happen.

- What do you think about Spain?

- I think Spain is one of the candidates to win the World Cup, despite having many young players. They can make it to the semi-finals or the final. In the past two years, Spain has always played well and has great potential. But you need more than that at the World Cup. You need luck, getting to the right place at the right time, especially at this year's tournament because you don't have time to prepare for the first game. All in just one week, not three or even four weeks like previous World Cups.

- I played Spain a year ago. How do you think they've progressed in the past year?

- The players have matured. They improved game by game, after Euro 2021. Since then, Spain have qualified for the 2022 World Cup - the European region and proved they can play football that is not only beautiful, but also effective. With all that potential, Spain can prove itself by winning the World Cup.

- He plays every day with Pedri and Gavi at Barca. What do you expect from this duo in the World Cup?

- It's time for them to shine. I think Pedri and Gavi will go a long way not only in the World Cup 2022, but also this season. For young players, the first major tournament brings not only experience, but new feelings, strength and confidence. The World Cup will help them improve with performance, and I believe Pedri and Gavi will go a long way.

- In your opinion, will Messi, Ronaldo, Kevin de Bruyne, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe or Lewandowski himself be the best player of the 2022 World Cup?

- My role on the Polish national team is very different at Barca. I have to play for the team to get the win. It will be a huge challenge for me to win the title of best player, because Poland don't attack much and don't create many chances. Therefore, winning this title is not the easiest thing for the striker. But I was ready and did everything for the team, not for personal goals.

- This will definitely be a physical tournament. With the time of the World Cup, the players already have a rhythm because they are playing. I think the teams will play with more risk, because the gap between the opening match and the final match of the group stage is very small, just a week or ten days.

- How do you predict Germany's performance at the 2022 World Cup?

- I know Hansi Flick is a great coach and with him Germany can achieve a lot at the World Cup. Everything depends on the injury situation of the players before the opening match. A lot of people have been hurt lately, and you have to keep playing every three days at the World Cup. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain the best shape. But Germany has a great coach and a squad that has a mix of experienced and young players with a lot of potential. They are in good form and can go to the semi-finals. From there, anything is possible.

- What do you think about the match between Germany and Spain in the group stage?

- I think both teams will make it through the group stage, and maybe rematch in the final. The specific result depends on the happenings on the field.

- Which Italian club is the strongest in Europe right now?

- If counted in Serie A, Inter and Milan are improving. Juventus is probably having more problems. If you compare it to 5 years ago, you will see that these teams have made a huge leap in quality. Even Roma won the Conference League last season. They have worked hard to improve and get back on track after years of stagnation. Juventus has not played well this season, but has always been at the top, playing at the highest level in recent years.

- What is the biggest difference between the Bundesliga and La Liga?

- Sure, every tournament is different. La Liga has more clubs, and you have to play more. But it's hard to say exactly what the difference is. There are probably many clubs in the Bundesliga playing defense and waiting for the counter-attack. I think the Bundesliga is probably heavier physically, but La Liga has more clubs and it is difficult to compare.

Honestly, the difference depends on the club, not the league. Maybe after this season or after a while, I can talk more about the difference between La Liga and the Bundesliga. In La Liga, I see many clubs defending but still trying to develop the ball, even when playing at Camp Nou. But it's still too early for me to tell what the difference is.

- Choupo-Moting is flourishing at Bayern. What do you think about this?

- If the whole team plays well, the striker will be easier to kick. Choupo-Moting is in good form and scoring many goals. I played with Choupo-Moting and knew he was going through a good period. I'm happy that Choupo-Moting scores a lot of goals, but the season is long. All I can say is good luck, and hopefully Choupo-Moting will keep up this form for the rest of the season.

- What will you do next after retiring?

- I have a lot of work to do in life, not just football. But I want to continue to stick with football because of the accumulated experience. I want to help and give advice to many people. I don't know what role I will play, but at least part of my life will be related to football.