Robert Lewandowski of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Poland and Senegal at the Otkrytiye Arena on June 19, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. VI Images Hollandse Hoogte / RealTime Images

Robert Lewandowski of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Poland and Senegal at the Otkrytiye Arena on June 19, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. VI Images Hollandse Hoogte / RealTime Images

2018 World Cup: Everything you need to know about Robert Lewandowski

He’s nicer than he looks. Promise.

Robert Lewandowski of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Poland and Senegal at the Otkrytiye Arena on June 19, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. VI Images Hollandse Hoogte / RealTime Images

Robert Lewandowski of Poland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Poland and Senegal at the Otkrytiye Arena on June 19, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. VI Images Hollandse Hoogte / RealTime Images

Dark horses Poland will have to come out all cylinders firing when they face Columbia in their Group H encounter at the Kazan Arena on Sunday.

The White and Reds, like their opponents, need to win to have any chance of qualifying for the round of 16 after a 2-1 defeat to Senegal last Tuesday.

As is always the case, all eyes will be on their captain, talisman and record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski who will need to rally his troops as the world’s eighth-ranked team go in search of their first three points of the tournament.

We all know what the Bayern Munich striker is capable on the pitch so we thought it would be a good idea to find out more about the 29-year-old when he’s not sending shivers down opposing defenders.

His dad has prophetic powers 

Robert seems like a pretty non-Polish name right? Well, it turns out that Robert’s dad Kryzysztof (now that’s really Polish) was determined to make his son a professional footballer. So he gave him a name that would be easier for people across Europe and the rest of the world to pronounce once famous.

Just a slight case of ‘I told you so’.

He eats his dessert before the main course 

Robert loves kicking off any meal with pudding, and pavlova if possible. He believes it not only helps him burn fat faster but also makes him more energetic.

His Bayern team-mates still can’t get over the fact.

They still don’t understand. They shake their heads when they see me finishing with some soup.

Lewandowski has a street named after him in Poland

The all-time top scorer for Poland is obviously quite the star back home so it comes as no surprise that Lewandowski has a street named after him. The residents of Kuznia Raciborska in the south of the country took it upon themselves to have the road, previously named after a hero of the Communist regime, named after the striker.

His wife Anna is quite the ninja

Anna, a health, fitness and nutrition expert with a degree in Physical Education, won the bronze medal at the 2009 Karate World Cup and has also written books on fitness and starred in workout DVDs.

The 29-year-old passed on her knowledge to her husband, who has been described as the most professional player he’s ever worked with by former manager Pep Guardiola.

Anna gave birth to their daughter Klara on 4 May 2017.

Blessed with brains and brawn

Lewandowski completed his degree in Physical Education at the Warsaw School of Education in Sport the day after he scored during Poland’s 4-2 win over Montenegro which saw the Poles clinch their World Cup spot last October.

His thesis entitled ‘RL9. Path to Glory’ was awarded the highest possible grade.

A top achiever, class captain, cool kid, you name it.