Robert Lewandowski has admitted a certain nervousness before his foul penalty turned into a record goal.
With the 40th goal of the season for a 1-0 lead at SC Freiburg on Saturday, the Bayern striker had set Gerd Müller's legendary record from the 1971/72 season.
“That was a very difficult situation,” said Lewandowski in the “Current Sports Studio” of ZDF on Saturday evening.
He had received a lot of information about what this record meant, said the 32-year-old Pole.
"At this moment you have to stay calm, it's not that easy," said the striker.
After his hit, he had presented a black T-shirt with Müller's likeness and the white inscription “4EVER GERD” under his jersey.
Bayern's players and coaching staff formed a trellis for him in front of the substitution bench on the sidelines and applauded.
Then Lewandowski even had several chances to break the record in the second half.
So in the end it stayed 2-2 in Freiburg.
In the final home game against FC Augsburg on Saturday, the world footballer can crown himself the sole record holder.
But this 40-goal mark is already another milestone in Lewandowski's professional career.
He has already been the top scorer in the Bundesliga five times: in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. His season record to date was 34 goals.
“It doesn't help if you want it too badly,” he said a week ago after his three goals in the 6-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach by the German champions.
An overview of the most successful goalscorers to date after the 33rd matchday of the Bundesliga:
1. Gerd Müller (Munich), goals: 40, season: 1971/72
1. Robert Lewandowski (Munich), 40, 2020/21
3. Gerd Müller, 37, 1969/70
4. Gerd Müller, 36, 1972/73
5. Dieter Müller (Cologne), 34, 1976/77
6. Robert Lewandowski, 33, 2019/20
7. Lothar Emmerich (Dortmund), 31, 1965/66
8. Robert Lewandowski, 30, 2016/17
8. Gerd Müller, 30, 1973/74
8. Uwe Seeler (Hamburg), 30, 1963/64