Robert Lewandowski commended Lamine Yamal for his contributions to Spain during their FIFA World Cup victory, despite the fact that Yamal struggled with injuries throughout the tournament.
Entering the tournament with a hamstring issue that sidelined him during Barcelona‘s LaLiga winning campaign, Yamal faced limitations during the World Cup. Nonetheless, he participated in eight games, with coach Luis De La Fuente carefully managing his playing time in the early matches.
The 19-year-old forward netted one goal in 616 minutes of play and topped the tournament with 35 successful dribbles. Despite his injury challenges, Yamal posed a persistent threat on the right wing as Spain triumphed over formidable opponents including Portugal in the round of 16, France in the semifinals, and ultimately defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the final match.
“To be honest, we didn’t see his best during the tournament. The optimal version of Lamine was two seasons ago, not this last one,” Lewandowski shared with ESPN.
“He is still young, made his way to the World Cup after an injury, and missed about eight weeks of play. Jumping into World Cup games without adequate training is tough. However, he showcased great quality. The Spanish players supported him well, and in return, Lamine aided the entire team. I believe their collaboration was exceptional.”
Lewandowski and Yamal, who were teammates at Barcelona, played a total of 127 matches together. Despite Poland not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Lewandowski expressed his support for his Spanish teammates, including World Cup champions Gavi, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, and Ferran Torres, which led him to support Spain in their final match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
“I have built strong relationships with many players from Spain through my time at Barcelona, so I was rooting for them wholeheartedly. My only personal connection to Argentina is with Leo, who I know won the last World Cup. That’s why I supported the Spanish national team; spending so much time together makes it easier to cheer for them.”
“I was thrilled because I knew they were prepared to win the World Cup. They are young and have a bright future ahead of them.”
After departing Barcelona at the close of the previous season, Lewandowski signed a two-year contract with Chicago Fire FC in MLS on June 29. He previously stated he wouldn’t play for another European club after his time at Barcelona, which influenced his decision to explore MLS.
After meeting with head coach Gregg Berhalter and touring Chicago, Lewandowski felt confident about his decision.
“When I decided to leave Barcelona, I didn’t want to remain in Europe. After Barcelona, I couldn’t envision playing for another European team, which is why I focused my search outside of Europe. There were only a couple of destinations on my mind, but I knew my next move would be to a different continent.”
“After spending a few days in Chicago, I can say the city is fantastic. The people are warm and welcoming, and my new teammates have been incredibly supportive. The initial days can be overwhelming with so much to organize, but I’m committed to focusing on football because that’s my top priority. I’m gradually feeling more settled.”
Lewandowski made his debut in the MLS on Wednesday night against Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium in Miami, where his team lost 3-2 due to a late goal. He had a match scheduled against the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 16, which was postponed due to poor air quality from Canadian wildfires.
“I’m eager to contribute and help my new teammates and club achieve their goals, including winning titles,” Lewandowski expressed.