Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says he is already running out of praise for the “spectacular” Robert Lewandowski after the striker’s hat trick in Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen.
Lewandowski, 34, took his tally for Barca to eight in five games since his €45 million move from Bayern Munich, while he also moved past Karim Benzema to become the third highest scorer in the history of the Champions League.
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The Polish international has now registered 89 goals in the competition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (125) have managed more.
“I am running out of praise for him,” Xavi said after the game. “He’s scored a hat trick, but it’s not just that. It’s how he plays and how he makes the team play, finding the third man, reading the space perfectly, pressing…
“I am delighted [with him]. He has been a fantastic signing. He gives us so many solutions in attack, he’s a leader, a winner… [just] a fantastic, fantastic signing.”
Franck Kessie had opened the scoring for Barca before Lewandowski struck his treble, becoming the first player to score Champions League hat tricks for three different teams, having done so previously for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
“I don’t know if he is the best No.9 in the world, but he is the best No. 9 for us,” Xavi added when asked if there is a better striker in the game than the in-form Lewandowski.
“If he is not the best, he is up there with Benzema and the others, [Erling] Haaland is also there. But, without making comparisons, Robert is spectacular and it is an honour to have him on the team.”
