Robert Lewandowski’s Vision: Building Football Schools in Poland Inspired by Johan Cruyff’s Legacy

Johan Cruyff departed on March 24, 2016, leaving behind an infinitely sad farewell not only for Barcelona fans but for the entire football world. The Dutchman was an unparalleled figure who revolutionized the understanding of this sport. His legacy extends beyond the memories of the iconic Dream Team. Through the Johan Cruyff Foundation, Cruyff established around 750 schools worldwide, comprising 300 Cruyff Courts and 450 Patio14 schools, impacting over 200,000 children with the values of sportsmanship.

Cruyff’s vision began to take shape on April 25, 1997, when he inaugurated his foundation. Nearly 27 years later, another Barcelona player, Robert Lewandowski, aims to follow a similar path. In an interview with the YouTube channel ‘Foot Truck,’ Lewandowski revealed his future plans, which involve opening a series of schools in his home country, Poland, to enhance the management of football clubs.

While Lewandowski’s project differs from the initiative by the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which focuses on underprivileged youth, it shares the common thread of a desire to impart knowledge gained during their professional careers.

“In Poland, there are increasingly more academies, and they are doing well, but what I would like to do couldn’t be achieved in an academy,” reflects Lewandowski, who is still refining his idea. “I want to move more in the educational direction. I won’t say much yet because I have a puzzle, and I have to put it together, but it will be more like a school and will need help because I can’t do it alone.”

He expressed his intention to leverage the wealth of experience accumulated at top clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, where he worked under elite coaches such as Jürgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and now Xavi Hernandez.

“I would like this educational concept in Poland to make use of what I have learned over the years,” explains Lewy, who has experienced all facets of elite football. “I have firsthand experience in managing a club with a substantial budget. I’ve seen the reality, and it’s a valuable perspective that can help me. You not only see the beauty but also the challenges, and you won’t find that in any book or hear it from anyone.”

The Barcelona striker concludes, “I always got along well with executives who appreciated what I had to say, even if it wasn’t what they wanted to hear.”