Soccer <\/p>\n
Robert Lewandowski<\/a>, well-traveled international superstar that he is, fielded and answered questions in English, his native Polish and Spanish during Tuesday\u2019s introductory press conference with Chicago Fire FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n To his left sat Fire head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter, who began his time in front of reporters by talking numbers \u2013 specifically, his new striker’s accolades.<\/p>\n \u201cRobert has scored over 700 career goals; he has the most goals in the Top 5 leagues in the last 15 years; he\u2019s third on the all-time scoring list in UEFA Champions League, behind [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi; and he has 13 league titles and countless other titles,\u201d Berhalter said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 We have a good team right now,\u201d Berhalter added. \u201cI think Robert is a piece that can help take us to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Good morning, Chicago \ud83d\ude0e\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 pic.twitter.com\/Ft8SpQPZBA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Lewandowski has helped take plenty of teams to the top, capturing 33 titles during a legendary career with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, and most recently with LaLiga titans FC Barcelona.\u00a0<\/p>\n The decision to sign with Chicago<\/a> last month on a Designated Player deal through the 2027-28 MLS season came as a logical progression for a player who\u2019s made winning a habit over two decades in the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I start to play at a new club, always in front of me is [the goal] of winning some titles. It\u2019s the same [here],\u201d said Lewandowski, who is also Poland\u2019s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals in a record 167 caps.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it won\u2019t be easy, but still, in soccer you want competition, and there is something. Here,\u00a0\u2018something\u2019 means to win some titles.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n First training for RL9 \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/3f43CchGbZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Lewandowski joins a Chicago side that\u2019s third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points (8W-4L-2D record) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> break, and hopes to take the next step after returning to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs last year in their first campaign under Berhalter.<\/p>\n The Fire boast three players who featured at this summer\u2019s World Cup, as well: homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady<\/a> (USA), defender\u00a0Joel Waterman<\/a> (Canada<\/a>) and defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi<\/a> (South Africa). The latter helped Bafana Bafana to a historic World Cup knockout stage berth, becoming the top fan vote-getter<\/a> for this month\u2019s 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime.\u00a0<\/p>\n In attack, Lewandowski will partner up top with fellow DP striker Hugo Cuypers<\/a>, who leads the 2026 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race with 13g\/2a.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019ve been doing these last months is working through what it would look like in a two-striker system,\u201d Berhalter said of how he envisions both No. 9s not just playing, but thriving together.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 We have some really good data points. We’ve been scoring goals lately, we\u2019ve really been picking apart backlines, and we don\u2019t see any reason why that can\u2019t continue with Hugo and Robert on the field together.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Welcome to Chicago, Robert \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 pic.twitter.com\/k5aqnnPkae<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Lewandowski\u2019s signing has led to comparisons to global superstars such as\u00a0Lionel Messi<\/a> (Inter Miami CF<\/a>), Son Heung-Min<\/a> (LAFC<\/a>) and fellow blockbuster summer arrival Antoine Griezmann<\/a> (Orlando City<\/a>), all of whom have been tasked with leaving lasting legacies at their respective MLS clubs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s a responsibility he embraces with open arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, titles are one thing,\u201d said Lewandowski. \u201cBut also how you play for the people, for the fans.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n For Berhalter, Lewandowski is yet another piece of Fire owner Joe Mansueto\u2019s ambitious club project, which also includes a brand-new stadium<\/a> that will open in 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a massive signing for our football club. We\u2019re excited to bring Robert to the club, and we\u2019re excited to see how he can change the culture,\u201d said Berhalter. “You don\u2019t play this long at this high of a level without being an absolute top professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo we\u2019re excited to bring him to the club and really have his expertise and have his way of professionalism rub off on the rest of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Proven champion<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
New teammates<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Leaving a legacy<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n