What is Robert Lewandowski's secret to taking penalties?

Robert Lewandowski says a penalty is about mentality, not skill. With tens of thousands in the stadium and millions watching, the taker has a few seconds to clear the head, stay calm and pick power and side. He says most players at any club avoid taking them, and that when he missed it was his own error, a shot not close enough to the post or struck too softly, rather than one keeper having his number.

• Lewandowski said he scored more penalties for his clubs than for Poland simply because he played more club games.
• Lewandowski described the duel as one the goalkeeper can only win, since a scored penalty is expected.

▸In their words

“Every club you have like 90% of the players that they're afraid to score penalty because it's not for everyone.” Robert Lewandowski · at 2:23:39 — open in the transcript →

“If you score for goalkeeper nothing happens.” Robert Lewandowski · at 2:26:37 — open in the transcript →

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Pardon My Take (2026-10-30). Read the whole episode summary →

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