BERLIN, May 8 -- Hardly a day goes by without a sports headline mentioning Robert Lewandowski. In the past, his goal-scoring hit the back pages, but things have changed.
Newspaper columns are now filled with the behavior of the 30-year-old Pole. Many incidents seem to indicate that the forward's time at Bayern Munich is coming to an end this summer after four years and 150 goals in 193 games.
The controversial debate has come to an inglorious climax after Lewandowski refused to shake hands with Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes after being substituted in the last league match in Cologne (3-1). After ignoring Heynckes, he was admonished by the coach who will turn 73 this Wednesday.
Reports spoke of Heynckes giving Lewandowski a roasting similar to the ones naughty schoolboys receive from their headmasters.
"I am the boss," Heynckes said when making it clear that every player has to accept the coach's decisions. "I was a striker myself. I know strikers always think about their goal record, but I have to think about our number 12, 13 and 14 in the squad," Heynckes stressed.
He said he is aware of Lewandowski's ambitions to win the "Golden Boot" as Europe's top scorer.
Pundits and fans now assume that Lewandowski's departure has become even more likely.
While club legends like former midfielders Paul Breitner and Stefan Effenberg plus goalkeeper Sepp Maier attacked the Pole, former Liverpool professional Ditmar Hamann says he is concerned about Lewandowski's behavior. "I'm confused. I'm afraid he could be a threat to the balance in the squad next season," the former Munich midfielder commented.
Hamann mentioned that Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea may be interested in signing him. Other rumors spoke about Real Madrid.
"He's extremely unhappy. The negative incidents have increased and must cause concern among the club's leaders," Hamann emphasized. The club has to think about how much unrest Heynckes' replacement Niko Kovac could bear.
Bayern has missed the Champions League final four consecutive times with Lewandowski, Hamann said. "I think he will cause serious problems next season," Hamann commented.
Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder Breitner accused Lewandowski of not fitting in anymore with the team spirit. "It looks as if he does not care much about the team's needs, only his own needs. It's always only him, him and him."
Lewandowski has a problem with his self-evaluation "as he is convinced to be at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo. If he is, he has to prove that, but he hasn't," Breitner stated.
The 1974 World Champion said it is getting more and more difficult for the Pole to get the support of his teammates, who are offended by his behavior.
Maier said Lewandowski has repeatedly failed to show his skills against top international sides like Real Madrid. To only score goals in the national league is not enough, and does not prove international class, the former German international said. Breitner also mentioned a problem last season "when he accused the team of not fully supporting him when trying to score goals."
Hamann said Bayern will have to make a tricky decision this summer about the future of its star striker. Lewandowski has to make clear that he is willing to be part of the team with all that comes with it - and that he will not only think about his personal goals.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus Turin), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) or Alvaro Morata (Chelsea) could be possible successors, Hamann said.?