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UPDATE: Lewandowski unveiled as Chicago Fire player

14.07.2026 23:45
Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was officially introduced as a Chicago Fire player on Tuesday, taking part in his first training session with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club before appearing at a news conference alongside head coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

Lewandowski told reporters he was focused on settling into life in the United States and adapting to his new club, rather than making any decision about his future with Poland's national team.

Speaking at his first news conference since joining the MLS club, the 37-year-old striker said the move to Chicago was a major family decision and that he never seriously considered joining another European club after leaving Barcelona.

"Right now, it's more important to settle in here, play football and understand what life is like on another continent," Lewandowski said. "Later I'll come back to the question of the national team and be able to decide what's best for me and for the team."

Poland's next international window is scheduled for late September, when the team is due to face Bosnia and Herzegovina twice, as well as Sweden and Romania, in the UEFA Nations League.

Lewandowski said Chicago won him over not simply because of its financial offer but because of the club's long-term vision and determination to sign him.

"I wasn't impressed by the offer itself," he said. "I was impressed by how much the club wanted me to come here."

He said conversations with Berhalter, which began while he was still in Barcelona, convinced him of the club's ambitions, along with plans for a new stadium and investment in the team's future.

Lewandowski also highlighted Chicago's large Polish community, saying he had already received a warm welcome from local residents.

"I know there are many Poles here," he said. "I've already experienced a very warm reception on the streets, and that makes me even happier to be here."

He added that former Bayern Munich teammates Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller, both of whom have experience of MLS, had encouraged him to choose Chicago, describing it as a good place both to play and to live.

Berhalter described Lewandowski's arrival as a historic moment for both the club and the city and said he expected the veteran forward to transform the team's culture.

Berhalter added that Lewandowski's experience should improve the performances of his teammates and inspire the club's younger players, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The coach also made clear that Chicago, currently third in the Eastern Conference standings, is aiming to compete for the MLS title.

Lewandowski, who completed his first training session with the club after undergoing a medical examination and finalising paperwork, said he was still adjusting to the time difference and declined to confirm whether he would make his debut against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday.

He indicated, however, that he expected to be available for selection.

Chicago Fire said all transfer formalities had been completed, meaning Lewandowski is eligible to play if selected.

The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund striker is set to earn about USD 20 million per season in Chicago, according to media reports, making him the second-highest-paid player in MLS behind Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.

Ahead of his departure for the United States, Lewandowski visited the US embassy in Warsaw, where he told Chicago Fire supporters in a short interview posted on the embassy's Facebook account that they would "be happy with the team and satisfied with the results," adding that he "likes celebrating titles."

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP