Soccer

Lewandowski following in Messi's footsteps?: 'MLS was firmly in my mind'

Shortly after Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski admitted he already thought about moving to MLS at some point.

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September 15, 2023 02:40PM EDT

**© Julian Finney/Getty Images**Messi and Lewandowski

Two years after Lionel Messi left the club, the new face of Barcelona is Robert Lewandowski. There was a chance of seeing them together in Spain this season, but the Argentine star ultimately decided to play for Inter Miami in MLS.

Leo’s arrival in South Florida has revolutionized the league, leading to a significant increase in ticket prices, attendances and MLS Pass on Apple TV subsribers. And of course, he delivered magical moments on the field.

That being said, though Messi is undoubtedly the biggest star to ever join the league, Major League Soccer had already attracted world-renowned players in the past. In fact, Lewandowski recently revealed he considered playing there way before Messi’s move.

Will he join Messi? Robert Lewandowski says he also considered MLS move

“Before the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of MLS was firmly in my mind,” Lewandowski told As. “But somehow I changed my mind afterwards. After the chapter at Barcelona, that’s difficult to imagine.

“Saudi Arabia?I don’t even think about that. I’m super happy at Barcelona, in the team, in the city, with my family. As a person, I’m happy.”

Video: AI simulates Lionel Messi speaking English

When does Robert Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona expire?

Robert Lewandowski signed a four-year contract with Barcelona in the summer of 2022, which means his deal will expire in June 2026.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.