Iran Press/ Europe: Barcelona players celebrate after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Barcelona at the RCDE stadium in Barcelona, Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Barcelona’s risky bet to mortgage the club’s future paid off Sunday — in the short term at least — when a team led by newcomer Robert Lewandowski clinched its first Spanish league title in four years.
Barcelona won its 27th league title, second to Real Madrid’s 35, with four rounds remaining after a 4-2 win at Espanyol with a pair of goals by Lewandowski.
Now the club can finally start a new chapter after winning its first major title since the painful exit of Lionel Messi two years ago.
The title was secured with four rounds remaining and two years after Lionel Messi left amid the club’s financial struggles.
Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona, which now has 27 league titles, eight fewer than Real Madrid.
