Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Michael Gowler

Robert Lewandowski puts Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to shame with latest heroics

Robert Lewandowski has made Champions League history by scoring the competition's quickest ever hat-trick as Bayern Munich ran riot against Red Bull Salzburg.

The two sides were level heading into the second leg at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, having played at a 1-1 draw over in Austria three week's ago.

Back then, Bayern needed a late Kingsley Coman strike to bail them out after Salzburg substitute Chukwubuike Adamu had netted the opener.

However, it didn't take long for the German giants to assert their dominance back on home turf in the second leg as a rampant Lewandowski made European history.

Robert Lewandowski's hat-trick within 23 minutes saw him net the earliest treble ever scored in Champions League history (Getty Images)

Having twice converted from the penalty spot, in the 12th and 21st minutes, the prolific Pole then bundled home two minutes later to complete a record-breaking hat-trick.

Lewandowski's trio of strikes within 23 minutes against Salzburg saw him net the earliest treble ever scored in Champions League history.

The feat saw the Bayern marksman supplant Marco Simone for the honour, whose previously struck a 24-minute hat-trick for AC Milan against Norwegian side Rosenborg back in 1996.

Remarkably, there were only a mere 10 minutes and 24 seconds between Lewandowski's first and third goals as Bayern ran riot in Bavaria.

For his record-clinching third, the 33-year-old found himself bearing down on Salzburg's goal following Thomas Muller's cushioned through ball on the volley.

Salzburg stopper Philipp Kohn rushed out to close the striker down, however his attempted clearance cannoned off the forward and hit his own post, leaving Lewandowski to tap into an empty net.

Is Robert Lewandowski the best striker in world football? Have your say in the comments!

Lewandowski also became the first player in top-flight European football to reach 40 goals in all club competitions this season (REUTERS)

Indeed, Lewandowski's achievement seemingly puts his fierce rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to shame; with the duo unable to score a hat-trick as quickly as the Bayern star did.

And that wasn't the only achievement the Pole would land on the night.

Lewandowski became the first player in top-flight European football to reach 40 goals in all club competitions this season, making it seven campaigns in a row in which he's reached the milestone.

Former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry then added a fourth shortly after the half hour mark to give Bayern an unassailable lead heading in to half-time.

With Lewandowski's contract set to expire in the summer of 2023 and much speculation surrounding his future, a Premier League move has been touted and it's something Peter Crouch would love to see.

"It seems ridiculous. I don't know what else they want," Crouch admitted on BT Sport while discussing Bayern's failure to tie Lewandowski down to a new deal.

"I know he's approaching 34 but he looks like a machine still. He looks like he eats well, he lives correctly, he looks fit and the numbers are absolutely ridiculous.

Peter Crouch admitted he would love to see Lewandowski play in the Premier League (BT SPORT)

"Who are you going to go out there and sign to get you those sort of numbers? I know there has been talk of [Erling] Haaland if you want obviously longevity, but that's going to cost you a hell of a lot of money.

"I think you get another two or three more years out of Lewandowski.

"Having said that, I would love to see him in the Premier League. I think it would be beautiful to see.

"If I am Bayern, you tie him down as quickly as possible. Those numbers are frightening."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.