As he tries to push a move away from Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski is in risk of destroying his entire career, but he isn't the first player who has done so.
All good things must come to an end, and players seldom stay with the same club for their whole career in this day and age.
When a player decides it's time to move on, the ideal situation is for them to be able to negotiate an acceptable understanding with their existing employers to respect their choices. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, and things may get a little messy.
And Robert Lewandowski is learning the hard way, as the Bayern Munich striker is dangerously breaking his connection with his adoring fans after nearly 10 years of scoring goals in Bavaria. The Poland international has made it obvious that he wants to leave the club, with Barcelona his prefered destination.
Bayern obviously do not want to lose Lewandowski, since replacing one of the finest attackers in the world is a difficult challenge. But, in his desperation to get his way, Lewandowski has made a series of remarks that have put his relationship with the supporters and the club in jeopardy.
In a recent interview with Onet Sport in Poland, he said: "I only want to get out of Bayern. More essential than the work is loyalty and respect. The greatest thing to do is work together to find a solution. They refused to listen to me until the very end. Something inside of me died, and it's hard for me to recover. You can't make up for that, even if you want to be professional."
Lewandowski appears to be prepared to give up everything to achieve his move, but he isn't the first player to risk everything to get their way. Mirror Football looks at six more performers who have gone above and beyond to press their way into new roles.
1. Raheem Sterling (England)
After rising through Liverpool's development system, Raheem Sterling became a sensation, forming a formidable front line alongside Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers gave him a large deal to stay at Liverpool since he was considered as the club's future.
Sterling was offered the contract in February 2015, but he had no intention of accepting - not that Liverpool knew at the time. To help force a summer move, Sterling gave an unannounced interview to the BBC in which he disclosed that he had turned down the offer, much to Rodgers' chagrin.
After a behind-the-scenes fight, Sterling's agent Aidy Ward said: "I'm unconcerned about the club's public image or its current circumstances... He's not going to sign anything. He's not going to sign for £900,000 a week." Liverpool ultimately accepted a £49 million deal from Manchester City after requesting to be left out of pre-season training.
Sterling is not a popular figure among Liverpool supporters, and former players Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and Graeme Souness were among those who criticised him at the time. However, the transfer has paid off for both teams, with both receiving trophies.
2. Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
Carlos Tevez had a glitzy career that saw him becoming the highest-paid athlete on the planet at one time. However, the Argentine was a pest throughout, causing problems for both Manchester clubs.
Tevez's arrival in the Premier League was marred by controversy, as he and Javier Mascherano joined to West Ham in an unusual transfer transaction. Tevez only lasted one season at West Ham before joining United on a two-year loan.
Sir Alex Ferguson agreed to a £22.5 million agreement to sign him and was willing to make him one of the club's highest earners. Tevez, though, turned down the offer and chose to join City instead.
Tevez had a promising start at City, but after two years, the Argentine wanted out and refused to come off the bench as a replacement when his team was behind 2-0 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Tevez returned after being banned, but enraged fans once again by joining in with West Ham celebrations when City travelled to Upton Park.
The Argentine said he had a terrific relationship with West Ham, but City eventually trimmed their losses and sent Tevez to Juventus in 2013. Tevez eventually signed Shanghai Shenhua and became the world's highest-paid player. He has subsequently referred to his absence as a 'vacation,' as he refused to practise and only made 16 appearances.
3. William Gallas
William Gallas is unconcerned about upsetting supporters, as he is the only player in history to have played for Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Gallas joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2001, and the club issued a statement accusing him of refusing to play for them after five years.
Gallas reportedly told Chelsea that he no longer wanted to play for them and that if he started the Premier League season on the first day, he would score 'own goals.' Gallas later refuted these statements, yet he still received the job.
Gallas joined Arsenal when Ashley Cole moved the opposite way, and subsequently opted to join Tottenham Hotspur due to contract concerns. Tottenham felt vindicated after the Gunners signed Sol Campbell in 2001, following years of disappointment.
4. Aubameyang, Pierre-Emerick
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure from Arsenal was acrimonious, as the Gabonese attacker began to generate turmoil behind the scenes, prompting Mikel Arteta to expel him. After failing to participate in a single game in 2022, Aubameyang was forced to go to Barcelona after flying out on Deadline Day.
Arsenal, on the other hand, must not have been surprised, considering he arrived from Borussia Dortmund amid tumultuous circumstances. Aubameyang made it known that he intended to leave Dortmund in January 2018, and following a spat with former Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, he referred to him as a "clown."
"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is playing so well for Arsenal, surely has a pleasant sensation in his heart when he looks at his bank account, but on Wednesdays he can only watch the Champions League and be unhappy," Watzke remarked in a harsh interview after Aubameyang's departure.
5. Dimitar Berbatov
After Daniel Levy eventually caved in and sold Dimitar Berbatov on Deadline Day in 2008, the Bulgarian was able to force a transfer away from Tottenham. Ferguson was anticipated to sign Berbatov before the start of the 2008/09 season, prompting Tottenham to file a protest with the Premier League regarding United.
Berbatov was apparently indifferent on the training ground and was dismissed at the start of the season owing to being 'unsettled' as a result of the claims. Levy was nearly forced to accept United's £30.75 million offer, which City matched in the last hours.
6.Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet had a magnificent but tainted cameo for West Ham during an 18-month stay in 2015, when the Frenchman appeared to be one of the summer's best bargains. Even though Payet did not want to leave Marseille, West Ham only paid £10 million for him.
However, he sprang into the scene and quickly fit there, although this did not last long, as he announced his wish to return to Marseille in January of the following year when the club was taken over by new owners. The news that Payet has opted not to play for the club again was disclosed in January 2017, but the timing could not have been worse.
That day, a mural depicting Payet was erected, and West Ham had to provide security to prevent it from being vandalised. West Ham turned down two proposals from Marseille because they didn't want the star to depart.
After Payet was dismissed from the first team, they ultimately accepted a £25 million deal, and the painting was removed from the London Stadium the day after he departed. Payet's legacy is in shambles, but admirers speculate about what may have been if he hadn't been homesick.
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