'I will always carry Barcelona in my heart', says Lewandowski after emotional Camp Nou send-off

Robert Lewandowski said he will always carry Barcelona in his heart after playing his final home game for the club on Sunday, in a 3-1 victory over Real Betis.

Raphinha netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Joao Cancelo as the LaLiga champions brought the curtain down on their home campaign with a 19th victory in as many games.

They are the first team to complete a 38-game LaLiga season with a perfect home record, with the previous instance being Real Madrid in a 34-game campaign, in 1985-85.

But the game will be most remembered for the emotional send-off received by Lewandowski, who was in tears when he was substituted in the 85th minute and repeatedly came out of the dugout to wave to supporters in the closing stages.

Lewandowski arrived from Bayern Munich in 2022, when the Blaugrana had gone three years without winning LaLiga and were less than 12 months on from Lionel Messi's departure.

Barca have won LaLiga three times in four years with Lewandowski leading the line, as well as lifting the Copa del Rey once and the Supercopa de Espana on three occasions.

In 192 games for the club, Lewandowski has scored 199 goals, averaging one every 118 minutes and scoring with 21.25% of his shots.

Lewandowski has scored 82 of his goals for Barcelona in 133 LaLiga matches, 23 in 38 Champions League games, seven in 12 Copa del Rey matches, six in seven Supercopa outings and one in two Europa League contests. 

Addressing Barca's supporters after full-time, Lewandowski said: "For me, it's a very exciting and very difficult day. 

"When I arrived at Barcelona I knew this club was great, but thanks to your love, it has been incredible. 

"From day one I felt at home. I'll never forget when you sang my name. Thank you to my team-mates, the coaches and all the staff. 

"It has been an honour to play for this club. We have lived great moments in these four years; I feel very proud of everything we have done together. 

"I say goodbye to the stadium, but I will always carry Barcelona in my heart. Thank you very much to all the fans. Once Barca, always Barca."

Lewandowski wore the captain's armband for the game but was unable to get on the scoresheet, only having one shot – which was his final touch – with an expected goals (xG) value of 0.19.

Raphinha revealed the other members of Barca's leadership group had decided to grant Lewandowski that honour, saying: "Ronald, Pedri and I talked about it this morning. It's the least we could do for him. It is an honour to enjoy this moment with him.

"Since he arrived, he has contributed a lot. I think the fairest thing we could do is this tribute. 

"We wanted him to score, but the important thing is the affection we have for him. Grateful to have shared a dressing room with him."

Lewandowski could play one final game for Barca, away at Valencia on the final matchday of the season next Saturday.