Barcelona, October 6, 2025 — FC Barcelona find themselves in turmoil after a humiliating 4–1 defeat to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, a loss that not only handed Real Madrid the top spot in LaLiga but also ignited a full-blown internal crisis threatening to derail Hansi Flick’s project. The spark that set it off: a missed penalty by Robert Lewandowski in the 75th minute, with Barça trailing 2–1 and chasing a comeback.
Yet what has truly shaken the club is not the miss itself — Lewandowski’s third failed penalty since joining in 2022 — but rather what the Polish striker revealed afterward. In an exclusive interview with TV3 on Monday morning, the 37-year-old shared shocking remarks allegedly made by Flick after the final whistle.
“I know I made a mistake with that crucial penalty,” Lewandowski said, visibly emotional. “But what Hansi told me afterward is something I will never accept from any coach. He told me, ‘You’re too old for this club, Lewy. You can’t handle the pressure anymore; it’s time to retire and let the young players take over.’ I felt humiliated — as if 15 years of titles and success meant nothing.”
The revelation spread like wildfire across social media, with the hashtag #FlickOut surpassing 500,000 mentions within hours. Sources inside the dressing room, speaking anonymously, confirmed the confrontation took place in the tunnel — out of view but within earshot of players like Pedri and Marcus Rashford, who had scored Barça’s only goal.
“Lewandowski stormed off, hitting his locker. Flick followed him, thinking it was just a private ‘wake-up call,’” one insider said. The German coach, known for his intensity and discipline since arriving in 2024, had already hinted at his frustrations in his post-match press conference:
“We made serious mistakes today, and not everyone is performing at the level this club demands. We need quality, not excuses.”
Few, however, expected those words to target Barça’s greatest goalscorer in the modern era — Lewandowski, who has netted 102 goals in three seasons.
A Night to Forget
The match itself was a nightmare. Matías Almeyda’s Sevilla came out firing, taking the lead in the 10th minute through a penalty converted by Alexis Sánchez, the former Barça player relishing his revenge. Isaac Romero made it 2–0 in the 36th, before Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, reduced the deficit with a stunning volley just before halftime.
Barça dominated after the break, with Flick introducing Balde and Eric García to push higher. Pedri hit the post, García struck the crossbar, and it seemed only a matter of time before the equalizer arrived — until disaster struck. After Januzaj fouled Balde in the box, Lewandowski stepped up but sent his shot wide, grazing the outside of the post.
“I missed because I was overconfident,” Lewandowski admitted later. “But Flick’s words after… they broke me.”
Sevilla punished Barça’s collapse with goals from Carmona (88’) and Adams (96’), sealing their first home victory over the Catalans in a decade. Flick avoided direct criticism of Lewandowski afterward, saying only:
“We tried everything, but couldn’t find solutions. Our buildup errors cost us.”
Still, cameras caught the coach covering his face in disbelief after the penalty miss — an image now circulating widely online.
Crisis at Camp Nou
As Barça enter the international break, tensions are boiling. Pedri publicly backed his captain:
“Lewy is our leader and role model. No one is finished at 37 if they keep scoring 30 goals a season.”
Club president Joan Laporta has reportedly convened emergency meetings after seeing the team drop to second place with 19 points. Rumors suggest Flick could even sideline Lewandowski for the November El Clásico, with talks already circulating about possible offers from Saudi clubs.
Meanwhile, fans are split. Social media is flooded with memes of the missed penalty and calls for Flick’s resignation. One viral post read:
“If this is true, Flick should be sacked immediately.”
Lewandowski, for his part, ended his interview with a thinly veiled warning:
“I’ve won everything with coaches like Guardiola and Nagelsmann. Flick is talented, but respect is non-negotiable. I’ll come back stronger — with or without him.”
Now, as the FIFA break begins, Barcelona stand on the brink. Will Flick survive the backlash, or is his project already crumbling? One thing is certain — Lewandowski’s words have set off an earthquake at Camp Nou, and the club’s future hangs in the balance.
