"My future? let's focus on this season first"

The Polish international Robert Lewandowski, a key figure at Barcelona, is convinced that Lamine Yamal, the club's new number '10', can still "play better than last year" and that "he will improve every year".

The 'Cules' forward made these remarks in Kobe, Japan, where Hansi Flick's side will kick off their pre-season campaign this Sunday with a friendly against Vissel Kobe (12:00 CET).

Now in his fourth season with Barcelona, Lewandowski declined to set individual goal targets after his impressive campaign last season, when he bagged 42 goals.

"The most important thing is the trophies we want to win. I can contribute with my performances, but the team's objective is what matters," said the Pole, who acknowledged that this year "will be more difficult" because every team will be aiming to beat Barca.

"We are here to prepare well for the season, and we can improve things, but we need to take a step forward," Lewandowski insisted, adding that "football is always evolving", so "we have to work on solutions."

Regarding Marcus Rashford, his new teammate in attack, Lewandowski noted that he is a player "with enormous talent" and recalled their encounters when Rashford was at United.

"He can help us and play in different positions. There are many matches, and it's necessary for him to be versatile. His versatility will be very important, and that's good for the team," he emphasised.

He didn't hide that one of the team's dreams is to win the Champions League, although he pointed out that it is a competition in which "many factors" come into play, such as injuries.

"The road is very long, and we have to think about the next match, not the final. We are the team to beat, and what we have to do is be better on the pitch. The first year with Flick was new for many, but now we know what direction we want to take," he asserted.

The Polish player declined to comment on whether there should be changes in the Barca captaincy due to the controversy with Ter Stegen, who will undergo back surgery and be sidelined for several months.

"It's not something that has been discussed. Everyone in the team can help in some way, not just the captains," said Lewandowski, who, when asked about his future, as his contract expires at the end of the season, stated that "there's a lot" on his mind.

"For me, what's important is not what happens at the end of the season, but what I can do in the current season. I'm relaxed; let's focus on this season first," he explained.

The Barcelona team will debut in the pre-season tour this Sunday against Vissel Kobe, in a match that has been in doubt due to problems with the promoter.

Against Kobe, Andres Iniesta's former team, Barca could see the debut of three of their signings: goalkeeper Joan Garcia and forwards Marcus Rashford and the young Swede Roony Bardghji.