Robert Lewandowski has further cemented his place among the greatest strikers of the 21st century, continuing to break records at nearly every stop in his career. Now starring in Spain, the Polish forward has reached a significant milestone with FC Barcelona faster than club legend Lionel Messi.
Barcelona traveled to San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao on Matchday 38 of the 2024–25 La Liga season. With the league title already secured, the Blaugrana still played with purpose, cruising to a 3–0 win. Lewandowski opened the scoring with two early goals, while Dani Olmo added a third from the penalty spot.
With his brace, Robert Lewandowski reached 101 goals for Barcelona, achieving the 100-goal mark in just his 147th appearance for the club. He had entered the match with 99 goals, and his double pushed him past the century mark in style.
By comparison, Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Barcelona on January 16, 2010, during a 4–0 win over Sevilla at the Camp Nou. Like Lewandowski, he also scored a brace that day. However, Messi reached the milestone in his 188th appearance—41 games slower than Lewandowski.
Of course, context matters: Messi was still in the early stages of his career, while Lewandowski, now 36, arrived at Barca with an already-established legacy as one of Europe’s elite goal scorers. Still, reaching 100 goals this quickly remains an impressive feat.
see also
Kylian Mbappe wins first Golden Boot at 26: How old were Ronaldo and Messi when they won theirs?
Lewandowski joins Barcelona’s 100-goal club
Since joining Barcelona at age 33, Lewandowski has shown little sign of slowing down. With 40 goals in 51 appearances this season alone, he continues to be a prolific scoring threat. By hitting the 100-goal mark, he now joins an exclusive group of Barca legends.
Only 22 players in the club’s history have hit the century mark in goals. That list includes icons such as Lionel Messi (671), Luis Suarez (195), Samuel Eto’o (130), Patrick Kluivert (122), Luis Enrique (108), and Neymar (105).
With another year left on his contract and his form showing no signs of decline, Lewandowski has the chance to continue climbing that list—and add more history to an already remarkable career.
