Lewa signs for Chicago, will debut against Muller

After a full 19 years, Robert Lewandowski's European chapter is over, and it's time for a new adventure in the United States. The legendary Polish striker, whose contract with Barcelona has expired, has accepted an offer from MLS and signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Fire. Mundo Deportivo reports that Lewandowski will earn 20 million dollars per season in Chicago, a salary even higher than the offers he received from Saudi Arabia. It is clear that the 38-year-old has arrived in the Windy City as a bona fide superstar.

Chicago already boasts quality players such as forwards Hugo Cuypers, Jonathan Bamba, and Filip Sykora, but one of the greatest goalscorers of the 21st century is on an entirely different level. That also raises an interesting question regarding Cuypers, currently the MLS Golden Boot leader, as several clubs have already contacted Chicago to inquire about a potential transfer. Fate has arranged a fascinating reunion for Lewandowski's debut. His first opponent will be Vancouver, featuring a familiar face — Thomas Muller, the teammate with whom Lewandowski has played more matches than anyone else during his career (333). The pair shared nearly 24,000 minutes on the pitch and combined to set up 80 goals for one another.

Lewa arrives in America — not to watch the World Cup, but to find a new club

And after facing Muller, Lewandowski's next challenge will be Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. What an introduction to MLS that promises to be, with enormous demand expected for tickets to those matches on July 16 and July 23. Alongside Messi, Luis Suárez, Heung-min Son, and Muller, Lewandowski immediately joins the ranks of the biggest football stars currently playing in North America. Chicago hopes the signing will attract new supporters and significantly expand its fan base ahead of the opening of the club's new McDonald's Park stadium, scheduled for 2028.

Lewandowski becomes the eighth Poland-born player in Club history. The Fire, with six domestic trophies, have featured a cavalcade of international stars since 1998. He joins a distinguished list of icons to have donned the Fire red, including Ballon d’Or winner Hristo Stoichkov, World Cup champion Bastian Schweinsteiger, and fellow UEFA Champions League winner Xherdan Shaqiri.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Sunday

South Africa - Canada 1-0 (0-0)

/Eustaquio 90+2/

Monday

Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)

/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/

Germany - Paraguay (0-1)

/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/

Tuesday

04.00: (2.20) Netherlands (3.15) Morocco (3.75)

20.00: (3.50) Ivory Coast (3.55) Norway (2.10)

00.00: (1.30) France (5.80) Sweden (9.00)

Wednesday

04.00: (2.25) Mexico (2.95) Ecuador (3.85)

19.00: (1.30) England (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***