Lionel Messi’s first MLS goal came on August 26, 2023, against the New York Red Bulls in his first league match. Messi started on the bench, entering in the 60th minute and taking just 29 minutes to find the back of the net, scoring the final 2-0 goal in the 89th minute of play.

Messi scored his first official goal for Inter Miami on July 21, 2023, in a Leagues Cup fixture against Cruz Azul. In that historic debut, the Argentine star came off the bench in the 54th minute and needed just 40 minutes on the pitch to score a spectacular free-kick winner in the 90+4th minute, giving the team a 2-1 victory.

Lewandowski’s first goal with the Chicago Fire

In the 20th minute of the first half, the Chicago Fire reacted quickly to level the score momentarily. Following a headed assist from Philip Zinckernagel, Robert Lewandowski controlled the ball outside the box and unleashed a precise right-footed low shot directly inside the opponent’s left post.

The Polish striker’s goal marked his first official strike in American competition, shifting the dynamics of the match played in Chicago. He is already starting to make his presence felt, setting up what could be an exciting scoring race against Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez, who also started the season on fire.

Lewandowski’s brace

In the 23rd minute of the second half, the Chicago Fire turned the score around through a team move that finished in the back of the net. After receiving a precise assist from Robin Lod, Lewandowski connected with a low right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing the ball next to the opponent’s left post. That gave Chicago the 2-1 win over Charlotte.

For Lionel Messi, his first brace in an Inter Miami jersey occurred on July 25, 2023, during a 4-0 victory against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup group stage. In just his second match with the club and his first start, La Pulga needed only 22 minutes to score two goals.

While highlighting that Yamal had an impact on Spain’s ultimate victory, Lewandowski asserted that the best version of the winger—who turned 19 years old six days before the final against Argentina—was not on display.

“Honestly, we didn’t see his best version in this tournament. For me, his best performance, the best Lamine, was not last season, but two seasons ago; that was, in my opinion, the best version of Lamine Yamal,” Lewandowski stated in an interview with ESPN regarding the Spanish player, who scored just one goal in the entire World Cup. Lewandowski also recalled that the youngster entered the World Cup following an injury that kept him out of action for several weeks.

Lewandowski’s praise for Lamine

As mentioned, Lamine recently turned 19 years old, remaining one of soccer’s top prospects and future stars who is already displaying his great qualities. Additionally, his former teammate Lewandowski praised how he adapted and pushed forward in the toughest competition in the sporting world.

For the current Chicago Fire goalscorer, that lack of playing time impacted his performance, though he valued the way Yamal managed to adapt to such a demanding competition. “He is young, he arrived at the World Cup after an injury, and he went about eight weeks without playing. It is difficult to be inactive for so long and have to start playing directly in a World Cup,” Lewandowski explained.

Lewandowski also highlighted that his squad was key to lifting him up: “His teammates helped him, and he also helped the team. I think that collaboration was perfect.”

Why did he support Spain over Argentina

The former Bayern Munich star also revealed that he closely followed La Roja’s campaign due to the bond he maintains with several members of the roster. “I know many Spanish players and spent a lot of time with them at Barcelona, so I supported them quite a bit,” he commented.

Regarding Argentina, he acknowledged that his personal connections are much more limited. “From Argentina, I only know Leo personally, although I know they won the last World Cup. That is why I supported the Spanish national team,” he maintained, before celebrating the title captured by the side led by Luis de la Fuente.

“I was happy because I knew they were prepared to win the World Cup. They are very young and have the whole future ahead of them,” Lewandowski concluded.

Anticipation for Robert Lewandowski’s MLS debut has reached a fever pitch, as the Polish striker is expected to take the pitch for the Chicago Fire today against Inter Miami. However, fans will likely miss out on an iconic marquee showdown against Lionel Messi, who isn’t playing against Chicago today.

Chicago manager Gregg Berhalter is expected to insert his star signing immediately into the matchday squad tonight against Inter Miami, having publicly praised Lewandowski’s relentless work rate and leadership during pre-match press conferences.

Lewandowski completed his landmark move from FC Barcelona, after Poland missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Polish goal-scoring legend arrives in MLS as one of European soccer’s elite talents aiming to cement his legacy in North America.

Lewandowski’s MLS debut was postponed

Lewandowski was originally slated to make his Fire debut last Thursday at home against Thomas Muller and the Vancouver Whitecaps, but the matchup was postponed due to external conditions.

As a result, speculation regarding his fitness and integration has only grown. Having fully traveled with the team to Florida, Lewandowski looks primed to show Major League Soccer that he remains a dominant attacking force.

Projected lineup for Chicago Fire with Lewandowski on it

Berhalter acknowledged the formidable challenge Inter Miami presents on their home pitch, but he is expected to deploy his most potent attacking options, including Lewandowski.

Chicago Fire’s projected lineup:

• Goalkeeper
  • Chris Brady (#1)
• Defenders
  • Jonathan Dean (#24)
  • Jack Elliott (#3)
  • Sam Rogers (#5)
  • Andrew Gutman (#15)
• Midfielders
  • Philip Zinckernagel (#11)
  • Mauricio Pineda (#22)
  • Anton Saletros (#6)
  • Maren Haile-Selassie (#7)
• Forwards
  • Robin Lod (#17)
  • Robert Lewandowski (#9)

“You know, I have a lot of respect for Inter Miami,” Berhalter said in response to Bolavip during his Monday press conference. “They have a great squad, they’ll most likely be missing a couple players in (Lionel) Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, although you never know with Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, I wouldn’t be surprised if they somehow played in the game.“

Messi and De Paul are among the Argentine players who didn’t fly back to Buenos Aires after the World Cup final, in which a 10-man Albiceleste side lost to Spain 1-0 in extra time.

However, neither of them is expected to return to club action soon. Messi went back to his native Rosario to rest and spend time with his family after a grueling World Cup run, whereas De Paul’s immediate plans remain unknown.

Lewandowski expected to make MLS debut with Chicago in Miami

Despite Berhalter’s cautious approach, Messi and De Paul are most likely to miss Inter Miami’s first games after the World Cup. Meanwhile, Lewandowski is expected to make his MLS debut for Chicago in Miami.

“We’ll see on Wednesday how long he can play,” Berhalter said of the Pole superstar, who arrived in the Windy City as a free agent after his contract with FC Barcelona expired.

Asked by Bolavip if Lewandowski’s arrival puts Chicago on the same level or at least closer to the defending MLS Cup champions, Berhalter said Wednesday’s game could be a good measuring stick, even if Messi and De Paul don’t play.

“Well, we’re going to see on Wednesday night where we are, right?” Berhalter said. “But for us, we just want to keep getting better. One thing I can tell you about Robert is, (he has a) tremendous work rate. When you think about a guy coming into the team who was jet lagged all last week, and he’s pushing the guys in training. We’re doing fitness stuff, he’s pushing that, he’s doing extra work.

“So you can see why he’s been a pro, and you can see why he’s scored more goals than anyone in Europe in the last 15 years, because he’s an absolute pro on the field and in the training sessions. He’s been high quality, scoring goals, and he looks like a great player.”

Kickoff between Inter Miami (9-4-2, second in the East with 31 points in 15 games) and Chicago Fire (8-2-4, third with 26 points in 14 games) is set for Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30 PM (ET) at Nu Stadium in Miami.

With confirmation of the Fire and Whitecaps’ game suspension, the question around whether Lewandowski would play for Chicago today has been answered. Unfortunately, it’s the worst possible answer. Not only will Lewandowski not play, but the match won’t even be held at Soldier Field, where the Fire are set to play until their new home, McDonald’s Park, opens in 2028.

The league was counting on this match going ahead, as it was one of the marquee fixtures scheduled to resume the 2026 MLS season before the World Cup came to an end. Lewandowski was set to face former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller.

Moreover, Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter was set to take on Vancouver, where his son and USMNT World Cup representative, Sebastian Berhalter, plays. There was plenty on the line, but because of an external factor, the match has been called off until further notice.

Lewandowski has new date for MLS debut

With the Fire’s game against the Whitecaps pushed back to Oct. 8, Lewandowski will have more time to settle into life in Chicago and now has a new date for his MLS debut. Most likely, Lewandowski will don the Men in Red’s colors for the first time on July 22, when Chicago travels to Florida to take on Inter Miami at Nu Stadium.

Lewandowski won’t meet Lionel Messi, however, as the Argentine will play in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 before heading into a well-deserved break and eventually returning to club action.

Why was the game suspended?

According to the BBC, there are more than 800 active wildfires in Canada, many of which are sending smoke deep into the U.S. Midwest and severely affecting air quality. The orange haze knows little of passports or border controls, but it has disrupted life in both countries. In a cruel twist of irony, the Fire’s match against a Canadian team has been postponed because of wildfires in Canada.

According to The New York Times, Chicago’s Air Quality Index has reached the two worst categories: Very Unhealthy and Hazardous. As the fires continue to spread uncontrollably, the city has closed public beaches and pools while also canceling all outdoor activities that cannot be held in an enclosed, controlled environment.

Chicago Fire’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field falls squarely into that category, and not even the arrival of one of the greatest strikers in soccer history, Robert Lewandowski, changes what comes first: the health and safety of the players, fans, and stadium staff.

Lewandowski was expected to make his MLS debut for the Chicago Fire today, after completing his high-profile transfer as a free agent after playing for FC Barcelona. But the Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps match has been postponed due to unsafe air quality in Chicago, postponing Lewandowski’s first game in the Windy City. The Chicago Fire later announced that the game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 6.

Lewandowski, who sat out the 2026 World Cup, has utilized the break to settle in with Chicago and prepare for the next chapter of his storied career. He arrives in MLS looking to make an immediate impact and challenge fellow global icon Lionel Messi, who recently sent waves through the soccer world with a post-match message following Argentina’s dramatic semifinal victory over England in the World Cup.

Following months of intense transfer rumors linking him to various clubs worldwide, Lewandowski ultimately chose the United States. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of European legends like David Beckham and Thierry Henry, who made the leap across the Atlantic after conquering Europe.

Lewandowski vs. Muller: Familiar foes reconnect

If both are fit on October 6, former Bayern Munich teammates Lewandowski and Thomas Muller would go head-to-head on opposite sides of the pitch.

The two forwards spent eight highly successful seasons together in Germany, sharing the pitch 333 times while claiming eight Bundesliga titles and lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2020. Tonight, that storied partnership is put on hold as they battle for three crucial points.

Lewandowski will be one of the many famous names missing the tournament, which could somehow affect attendance numbers in some stadiums and merchandise sales. And with a large Polish community in the United States, it will also hurt their feelings.

The last time Lewandowski played in a World Cup was the 2022 edition, where he scored in two different games: once against Saudi Arabia in a 2-0 win, and a single goal against France in a 3-1 loss. His last goal scored with the national team came on March 26, 2026, against Albania in a 1-1 draw.

How old will Lewandowski be for the 2030 World Cup?

For the 2030 World Cup, Lewandowski will be 41 years old. He will probably be unable to play in an international tournament of that caliber with Poland, but he could help his team qualify just like Cristiano Ronaldo is doing with Portugal at that age.

Poland missing Lewandowski for a future World Cup is something they will feel deeply because he is the national team’s top scorer with 89 goals. He had some trouble with the previous manager, but he is back and could help the team in the upcoming qualifiers.

Whatever Lewandowski decides in the upcoming months or years will surely make a big impact on the soccer world. But after a long career, he is leaving behind records, trophies, and international highlights that will last long in history.

Terem Moffi had opened the scoring for the African side, while Kacper Potulski equalized in the first half. After the break, Paul Onuachu put Nigeria back in front from the penalty spot, and late on, a stunning goal from Przemysław Wiśniewski sealed the final score.

In this way, both teams continue to stay active despite not being able to feature in the upcoming World Cup. You followed the live coverage minute by minute on Bolavip, and we look forward to seeing you in our next coverage!

“I think it’s no secret that we’ve been in communication with Robert,” Berhalter responded to Bolavip during his media availability after Chicago’s 2-0 road win over CF Montreal on Saturday.

“We think he’s a fantastic player. We think that they would be a great, a top pairing in this league. So you never know. I think there’s a lot still to be done, but we admire Robert, and we think he’s a fantastic player, one of the best strikers ever.“

Lewandowski confirms Barcelona exit

On Saturday, Lewandowski confirmed through a lengthy message on social media that he’s leaving Barcelona this summer.

“After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on. I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. 4 seasons, 3 championships. I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my very first days. Catalonia is my place on earth,” Lewandowski wrote.

“Thank you to everyone I met along the way during these beautiful four years. A special thank you to President Laporta for giving me the chance to live the most incredible chapter of my career. Barça is back where it belongs. Visca el Barça. Visca Catalunya.”

Set to turn 38 in August, Lewandowski will not play in the FIFA World Cup this summer as Poland failed to qualify for the tournament. But after more than a decade at the highest level of European soccer (Borussia Dortmund from 2010-14, Bayern Munich 2014-22, Barcelona 2022-26), he looks ready to start a new chapter elsewhere.

Chicago had been mentioned as a potential suitor for Lewy once his deal expired, and Berhalter had no problem in confirming that the interest is real.

Cuypers in excellent form for Chicago

The team is already in a great situation with Cuypers in amazing form, as the Belgian striker extended his scoring streak to 10 games by netting Chicago’s second goal in Montreal on Saturday.

Cuypers, 29, is currently leading MLS with 13 goals, boasting two more than Inter Miami star Lionel Messi and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa. Needless to say, an attacking duo of Cuypers-Lewandowski would give a massive boost to Chicago’s aspirations.

Both Lewandowski and Rashford were benched due to a tactical decision by Hansi Flick. This has raised eyebrows, considering Raphinha isn’t playing against Atletico today either.

With two key attackers starting on the bench, Barcelona enter this second leg with a noticeably altered frontline, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to their approach. The tactical choices made by Hansi Flick set the stage for a matchup where every adjustment could prove decisive in a high‑pressure Champions League night.

Barcelona confirmed lineup vs Atletico Madrid

Barcelona’s confirmed XI for the second leg is as follows: Joan Garcia; Joao Cancelo, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin; Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi, Fermin Lopez; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres.

Atletico Madrid confirmed lineup vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid’s confirmed XI for the second leg is as follows:
Juan Musso; Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Bruno Amione Ruggeri, Clement Lenglet; Marcos Llorente, Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion, Giuliano Simeone; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman.

The Polish striker has been one of Barcelona’s most consistent performers this campaign, starting 12 matches while registering 12 goals and one assist. His presence in the final third has been constant, reflected in his 55 total shots, 26 on target, and frequent involvement in high-risk attacking positions.

Despite those numbers, head coach Hansi Flick has opted to leave Lewandowski on the bench for this fixture, suggesting a tactical or rotational decision rather than a disciplinary issue or confirmed injury. Barcelona will also be without Raphinha, who is unavailable for this game.

Barcelona confirmed lineup vs Espanyol

Barcelona’s starting XI shows a blend of youth and defensive solidity, with several key attacking options still present despite Lewandowski’s absence: Joan Garcia; Balde, R. Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín; Gavi, Pedri, Fermin; Ferran, Lamine Yamal, Eric.

Espanyol confirmed lineup vs Barcelona

Espanyol lines up with a balanced mix of defensive structure and attacking mobility: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, F. Calero, Cabrera, C. Romero; Pol Lozano, Urko, Edu Expósito; Dolan, Ngonge, Kike G.

Barcelona enter the match as LaLiga leaders with 76 points, holding a six-point advantage over second-place Real Madrid, adding further intrigue to a lineup decision that leaves out one of their top scorers.