Many football fans are familiar with the tale of the volcanic ash cloud that thwarted Robert Lewandowski's potential transfer to Blackburn Rovers. However, fewer know about another English club that the Polish striker wishes he had joined: Manchester United.

"To Manchester United, I decided and said yes," Lewandowski revealed in an interview with BBC Sport. "I wanted to join Manchester United, to see Alex Ferguson."

This opportunity arose in 2012, when Lewandowski was in sensational form at Borussia Dortmund. Two years prior, a volcanic eruption in Iceland had disrupted his move to Blackburn. Despite his desire to join the Red Devils, Dortmund was reluctant to let go of their star striker.

"They could not sell me," Lewandowski explained. "Because they knew if I stayed, they could earn more money, and that I could wait maybe one or two more years."

Although the move to Manchester United never materialized, Lewandowski's career has been nothing short of stellar. He has won the Champions League with Bayern Munich and secured two La Liga titles with his current club, Barcelona. At 37, he has no immediate plans to retire but acknowledges that his chance to play in the Premier League has likely passed.

Reflecting on his career, Lewandowski said, "Maybe it could be a regret [not to play in the Premier League]. But when I look back, having played for Bayern Munich, Dortmund, and now Barcelona, I have to say I am very happy with my career."

Lewandowski, who has scored over 700 career goals, is now the veteran in a youthful Barcelona squad. He believes he still has much to offer and is inspired by the young talents around him.

"When I see that I still don't have to catch the young guys, that they still have to catch me, it means this next season can also be very good," he said. "I am still there to show the best performance from myself."

Despite the age gap, Lewandowski finds value in learning from younger players like Lamine Yamal, who he believes has a bright future ahead.

"I understood that I cannot fight with them but I can help them, and they can also help me," he said. "I learn from them a lot. I didn't think it would happen like that."

Lewandowski's career has been marked by numerous achievements, including coming close to winning the Ballon d'Or. He was a favorite for the 2020 award, which was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and finished as the runner-up to Lionel Messi in 2021.

"I was in the best moment of my career, I won everything with my club," he recalled. "I think the difficult thing with that case is until now I don't know why."

Looking ahead, Lewandowski remains optimistic about the future, both for himself and for the young stars at Barcelona.

"You have so many players now who can [win the Ballon d'Or]," he said. "Lamine Yamal's season was incredible, but in the end, it depends on what is most important. He still has a lot of time, if not this year, maybe next year."

Lewandowski's journey has been shaped by influential figures, including former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, who played a pivotal role in his development.

"When I moved to Dortmund, I was a very young guy, I lost my father when I was 16," Lewandowski shared. "I met someone who I don't want to say was like a father but similar. The kind of conversation that I missed with my father, I had with Jurgen. It changed my life, it changed my football life."

Lewandowski's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, proving that even missed opportunities can lead to extraordinary success.