Strike or start of training: Lewandowski chooses between return and escalation

Robert Lewandowski went on vacation and let the whole world share in it.

Strike or start of training: Lewandowski chooses between return and escalation

Robert Lewandowski went on vacation and let the whole world share in it. He was here and then he was there and the FC Bayern Munich striker always gave private insights. But every holiday also comes to an end for footballers. He is expected in Munich from Tuesday. Does he show up at all?

The holiday is over. Robert Lewandowski has to trade his new hobby Instagram for work on the training ground from Tuesday. The Bayern Munich striker is expected to return to Säbener Strasse for what may be his final pre-season session, provided FC Barcelona doesn't make a surprising offer beforehand. That, as the “Kicker” writes, has not happened so far. There is a standstill in the transfer game for the 33-year-old.

That must have been a great vacation. Tennis with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic. Images against picturesque backdrops. Including tear-off slogans from calendars. "Don't look back unless it's a good look," it said, or "Look ahead, always!". Wonderful stuff for the modern Instagram interpreters, who analyzed every new picture, every new story from Lewandowski or his wife Anna in depth, so as not to miss any hints in this transfer saga, which has now been going on for months.

But after the last pictures with Heidi Klum or the American football star Russell Wilson, the best vacation is now ending and the truth for Lewandowski is now back on the pitch. He wants to score goals there again next season. Only the question of in which league and for which club this should happen remains unresolved.

As of now, Lewandowski will appear at Bayern Munich and will have to start his royally remunerated service there. First with the obligatory performance diagnostics and a medical check and then with the return to team training including a public session in the Allianz Arena next Saturday.

He would probably be surprised which players sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić has signed in recent weeks and then possibly even train with the new stars around Sadio Mané. Although Lewandowski's time in Munich seemed to be over at the latest after his statements at the beginning of June.

At that time, the Pole first announced his departure from Bayern at a press conference and then in a podcast or, to put it more precisely, wanted to press ahead with his separation from the record champions with harsh words. But FC Barcelona had sent a few offers to Munich, but these are said to have ended up in Salihamidžić's wastepaper basket, as was recently read.

Or will Lewandowski not show up after all and let the situation escalate with a strike that is repeatedly considered, at least in the media? The jury is still making its verdict. A decision is not expected before Tuesday. Time is running out for a long time. Because in the preparation, which was already compressed due to the Winter World Cup in Qatar, both Bayern and Barcelona are setting off on a US tour at the end of next week. There the new or the old star should be on board.

The "Basta" announcement made by Bayern boss Oliver Kahn in May is still valid. But a transfer fee of more than 50 million euros would be a good justification for credibly withdrawing this announcement. Should Barcelona not budge in the next few days, a surprising new door could open for Lewandowski. With Paris Saint-Germain, another club is already in the starting blocks, reports "L'Equipe." Wouldn't that be great pics on Instagram too? If not the Sagrada Familia, then the Eiffel Tower. The Lewandowskis would look gorgeous.