Lewandowski tours Chicago Fire facilities as MLS suitors pitch family and fortune
Robert Lewandowski spent the weekend touring Chicago Fire’s facilities and meeting club officials, the strongest signal yet that the Polish striker is seriously considering a move to Major League Soccer after his Barcelona departure.
Robert Lewandowski’s future took a concrete turn over the weekend when the Polish captain flew to Chicago to inspect the Fire’s setup and hear a formal pitch from the MLS club. The visit, his first on-site exploration since announcing he would leave Barcelona at the end of the 2025/2026 season, included tours of the $100 million Endeavor Health Performance Center, the site of a planned $750 million stadium in the South Loop, and schools and business opportunities for his family.
The pursuit
Chicago Fire have been the most persistent suitor, tabling a concrete offer early in the process while European giants AC Milan and Juventus and Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr circled. The American club’s owner Joe Mansueto has made the Pole a central pillar of a wider reboot designed to lift the franchise from mid-table to a regular title contender.
Such a transfer would lift everything up. Everyone sees what Messi did in Miami – totally changed the league. I think Lewy would do something on the same level, especially for Chicago and Fire it would be mega positive. Having such a player in the dressing room – that would be top.
The Chicago visit
Lewandowski arrived on June 12, accompanied by his agent and advisors. Over the weekend he held talks with head coach Gregg Berhalter, dined with the club’s leadership, and inspected the city’s infrastructure for his family. Originally, a meet-and-greet with supporters was scheduled at a downtown bar for Sunday evening local time, but the player cancelled it in order to avoid creating premature expectations before he makes a decision.
- Lewandowski announces his departure from Barcelona at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
- Anna Lewandowska visits Chicago to explore business and family options with the Fire.
- Lewandowski lands in Chicago for a weekend of face-to-face talks and site visits.
- Meetings with coach Gregg Berhalter and club executives; tour of the training centre and stadium site.
- Planned public fan event cancelled; Lewandowski returns to Europe without signing.
Money and market
Multiple Polish outlets report the Fire are offering between $15 million and $20 million per season, a package that would place Lewandowski second only to Lionel Messi on the MLS salary list. The club is banking on his drawing power among Chicago’s huge Polish diaspora, one of the largest outside Poland, to amplify the commercial impact of the signing.
Family factor
The Fire have tailored their pitch to the whole Lewandowski household. His wife Anna visited the city during the winter to scout locations for a potential fitness centre, and the club presented schooling options for the couple’s daughters. Club officials have made clear they understand the decision will ride on quality of life as much as salary.
What’s next
No contract has been signed, and people close to Lewandowski describe his approach as “pure business”. The player returned to Europe without a commitment, but the trip has moved the needle from distant possibility to serious negotiation. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, with the Fire hoping to finalise what would be one of the most consequential transfers in MLS history.
