Lewandowski joins Chicago Fire on two-year deal, puts Poland future on hold

The signing

Robert Lewandowski, 37, was unveiled by the Chicago Fire on Tuesday, July 14, after signing a two-year contract as a designated player. The Polish striker left Barcelona when his contract expired in May, choosing not to remain in Europe. He scored 119 goals in 192 appearances for the Catalan club, winning three La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey. Lewandowski also holds Poland's records for both caps and goals, with 167 international appearances and 89 strikes since his debut in 2008.

I couldn't imagine myself with a different club besides Barcelona, so that's why we knew that the next step would be outside of Europe. And of course, that it's not easy to move from Europe to USA, but we are very excited.

Press conference and media interest

Around 60 journalists from around the world attended the presentation at the club's training facility, a turnout the club spokesman said exceeded even that for former Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger when he joined. The session lasted nearly half an hour, with Lewandowski fielding questions in English, Polish and Spanish. He acknowledged the difficulty of uprooting his family but said the club's pursuit won him over.

I was impressed by how the club tried to get me, how much they wanted me to come here. Starting from the first meeting with the coach, still in Barcelona.... Such commitment meant a lot to me, it was one of the main factors why I decided to come here.

National team uncertainty

The move raises immediate questions about Lewandowski's future with the Poland national team. Poland failed to qualify for the ongoing World Cup in North America, and the seven-hour time difference and long flights from Chicago to Europe make regular international duty harder. Lewandowski said he has not made a decision and wants to first settle into life in the United States before evaluating what is best for himself and the national side.

On today I haven't made any decision because I didn't have to. I focused on joining the new club. I think after a few weeks I will have answers to the questions I have in my head.

Poland's next camp is scheduled for late September, with Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina (twice), Sweden and Romania. Lewandowski noted that only after experiencing daily life and football in Chicago would he be able to determine if continuing his 18-year international career is realistic.

Club perspective and on-field plans

Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter described the signing as "massive" and said Lewandowski can help change the culture of a team sitting third in the Eastern Conference as MLS resumes after the World Cup break. Chicago host Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday night, and Lewandowski could make his debut then. He is expected to form a strike partnership with Hugo Cuypers, who leads the league with 13 goals.

We have a good team right now, I think Robert is a piece that can help take us to the top.

A lighter moment

One exchange during the press conference drew laughter: a reporter used the word "soccer" and Lewandowski, accustomed to European terminology, paused with a smile before responding.

I need to learn this... I don't know why you call it 'soccer' and not football. It's 'foot ball'.

The remark highlighted the cultural adjustments ahead, but the overall mood was upbeat. Lewandowski said he had already been warmly greeted by the city's large Polish community and looked forward to the club's move into McDonald's Park, a soccer-specific stadium scheduled to open in 2028.