Ferran Torres challenges Lewandowski

Ferran Torres is exploding in the center forward role, forcing Robert Lewandowski to share the number 9 position at Barca for the first time in three seasons.

Ferran Torres is making an impressive start to the 2025/26 season, continuing his explosive form from the end of last season.

Ferran Torres is off to an impressive start to the 2025/26 season, continuing his explosive form from the end of last season. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona's top scorer for the past three years - is no longer as sure of a starting spot as before.

At 25, Ferran Torres has gradually established himself as a modern striker. Last season, he scored 19 goals and had 7 assists, notably a double against Atletico Madrid to help Barca come from behind to win La Liga, and the decisive goal in the Copa del Rey final. When Lewandowski was injured, Ferran Torres continued to shine with a series of important goals, becoming a new hope in attack.

Not only is he effective, Ferran Torres has also shown great determination. After being treated for appendicitis, he cut short his vacation to train on his own and quickly get back into the rhythm of the team. His goal against Mallorca earlier this season showed that Ferran Torres has truly transformed into the “number 9” role - with smart movement, constant pressing and cool finishing.

In the past three seasons, Lewandowski has scored more than 100 goals, including 42 last season - an impressive number for a 36-year-old. However, the signs of age are becoming more and more obvious. He ran out of steam towards the end of the season, and for the first time entered the new season with less than 100% fitness due to overload.

Coach Hansi Flick understands Lewandowski's value but no longer gives him absolute priority. If last season he asked the Polish striker to join the defense to suit his playing style, this season the message is even clearer: Lewandowski must compete on equal terms with Ferran Torres.

The strong presence of Ferran Torres signals a generational shift at Barca. Lewandowski can still bring experience and killer instinct, but Ferran Torres is the right face to accompany the young generation of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi for many years to come.

The No. 9 shirt at Camp Nou will no longer belong to one man. It will be given to the player who performs better, regardless of reputation or age. And the 2025/26 season promises to witness one of the fiercest rivalries in La Liga - the race between Lewandowski's illustrious past and Ferran Torres's brilliant present and promising future.

Source: https://znews.vn/ferran-torres-thach-thuc-lewandowski-post1578211.html