Newly acquired Chicago Fire forward Robert Lewandowski expressed his disbelief at the idea of playing for any other European club following his four seasons with Barcelona, a sentiment that partly influenced his move to MLS.
The 37-year-old was officially introduced at a press conference in Chicago on Tuesday, marking the end of his chapter at Barcelona, where he contributed to three LaLiga titles, three Supercopa victories, and one Copa del Rey win.
“I couldn’t picture myself in any club other than Barcelona, which is why I knew the next step had to be outside of Europe,” Lewandowski stated.
“Moving from Europe to the USA is not easy for us, but we are really excited about this change. It’s a big transition in our lives, but it’s a new experience. I hope this will be a beautiful new chapter for my family and me.”
The former Poland international mentioned he sought advice from former teammates, Bastian Schweinsteiger, who played three seasons with the Fire, and Thomas Müller, who is now with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Both provided glowing reviews about MLS and Chicago.
“When I started asking for insights, not just about the MLS but the city and the club, they told me it’s fantastic,” Lewandowski shared. “The city is amazing for life not only as a player but also for my family.”
Lewandowski joins a Chicago Fire squad that has shown progress since manager Gregg Berhalter took over before the previous season.
Currently, the team is in third place in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind first-place Nashville SC, and Lewandowski sees significant potential for both himself and the club.
“I believe there’s potential to win titles with this new team,” he affirmed. “I’m very excited for this next step in my career and life. I hope we can enjoy the journey together with the staff and players, not just winning games but also achieving titles. We are in a good position, but we must work hard and enjoy our successes at the end of the season.”
Berhalter is optimistic that Lewandowski’s addition will enhance the team, not only in terms of standings but also in terms of his influence on the club’s culture.
“This is a monumental signing for our football club. We’re thrilled to have Robert on board,” Berhalter expressed. “We look forward to seeing how he can improve the culture here. From what I’ve learned about Robert, he’s not only an incredible player, but also a humble and driven individual.”
“You don’t play at a high level for this long without being a top professional. We’re eager to bring him in and let his professionalism and expertise inspire the rest of the team. We have a solid squad, and we feel Robert is the piece we need to reach the top.”
Chicago also boasts a high-performing striker in Hugo Cuypers, who leads the league with 13 goals in just 11 matches. However, Berhalter believes that Cuypers and Lewandowski can form a dynamic duo up front and has even begun implementing a two-striker system in training.
“We believe Hugo and Robert can thrive together on the field,” Berhalter noted. “They are both high-quality players who excel in tight spaces and can finish under pressure. We’re genuinely excited about this potential partnership.”
Lewandowski is aware that he will need to adapt, both on the pitch and in settling his family into their new life.
“At my age, transitioning to a new club can be somewhat easier because I understand that patience is key, not just on the pitch but off it too,” he said.
“When you’ve built a stable life and then have to step out of your comfort zone, it takes time to adjust. Nevertheless, I must prioritize my performance on the pitch. It’s easier to play your best when everything else is settled and you can enjoy life.”