By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Robert Lewandowski seemed to be the happiest man on earth in these enchanting moments after the 31-year-old Pole had broken the over 50-year-old record of Gerd Mueller. The German striker legend had scored 15 goals after the 11th round of matches in the 1968/69 season.
Lewandowski broke through the wall with 16 now with his colors crushing national rival Borussia Dortmund by 4-0. The overjoyed Polish international hugged teammates and coaching staff in the Munich arena.
Not only the Bavarian's supporters see the best Lewandowski of all times. Bayern coach Hansi Flick praised him as the world's best striker. German record international Lothar Matthaeus "can't see anyone at the same level at present."
"He has arrived in Munich with all of his heart at last. I am sure he is going to end his carrier in Munich," Matthaeus commented, talking about the recently extended contract running until 2023 including a significant pay-rise.
The spearhead seems to have given up plans to leave and join one of the top European sides such as Real Madrid. The forward is said to try to fulfil his dream to win the Champions League with the Bavarian party.
"His wife is pregnant with their second child, things could be better for him with the success he achieved on the pitch," the 58-year-old added.
Many now expect Lewandowski to eye the season goal record of Mueller, who scored 40 season goals in the 1971/72 season. A mark that hasn't been reached again since then.
Considering the Bayern strikers' current numbers, Lewandowski might reach up to 49 goals at the end of the 2019/2020 season.
"I thought Gerd Mueller's record is made for eternity. But Robert is the first one able to reach the level and endanger the historical record," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge emphasized.
Rummenigge called it "amazing" to see him "scoring one to three goals in every game."
Scoring his season goals 15 and 16 Lewandowski became the first striker in the Bundesliga's history to score in every league match. "I have the highest respect for him and his quality."
Eleven goals in the 16th duel against Dortmund and 23 goals in the 18th competitive game this season tell the fairy-tale like story of the four-times Bundesliga top scorer.
Nothing seems to make Lewandowski stop. Bayern is hoping their gunning star will return at the same level after his scheduled hernia operation.
Bayern coach Flick confirmed the necessity of the medical intervention but said it is up to his striker to decide about the timing. The operation requires a break of 10 days to two weeks.
According to a report of the sports-magazine Kicker, Lewandowski decided to postpone the operation until the winter break to gain more time to recover.
Therefore, he will not only be available for his national coach Jerzy Brzeczek in his home country's internationals against Israel and Slovenia but in Bayern's last remaining six league games against Duesseldorf, Leverkusen, Moenchengladbach, Bremen, Freiburg, and Wolfsburg and the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade and Tottenham Hotspurs.
Bayern coach Flick and the club's supporters are said to be happy about the decision as Lewandowski has developed to be the Bavarian's life-insurance.
