Robert Lewandowski chooses his next club after leaving Barcelona | OneFootball

After four successful seasons in Catalonia, Polish veteran striker Robert Lewandowski said goodbye to Barcelona at the end of the 2025/26 season upon the expiry of his contract.

The 37-year-old striker appears to have made the final decision on his future after leaving Barcelona, with a move to Chicago Fire now close.

According to SPORT, the former Barça striker has chosen the MLS side and could be officially presented next week.

The deal on the table would run for two seasons, with an option for a third. This comes after Lewandowski travelled to Chicago last week to meet club executives, speak with the coaching staff and see the project in person.

Chicago Fire have identified the legendary No. 9 as the face of their project, and it gives Lewandowski a chance to unwind for a few years in a relatively low-pressure environment.

A post-Barça chapter in MLS

Headed to the MLS. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Lewandowski confirmed in May that he would leave the club at the end of the season, closing a four-year spell in which he helped Barcelona win three La Liga titles.

He has turned down major offers from Saudi Arabia, including Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, in order to continue his career in the United States. Financially, the Chicago proposal is still significant, but this looks like a lifestyle and sporting decision as much as a financial one.

That is understandable. At this stage of his career, Lewandowski has earned the right to choose a project that gives him status, comfort and a clear role.

Chicago can offer him all three, especially with the city’s strong Polish community, with over 700,000 residents of Polish ancestry in the metropolitan area.

Barça can look back at the chapter fondly

Lewandowski’s final season had complications, and his exit made sense once it became clear he did not want a reduced role.

Lewandowski departs Barcelona as a legend. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

That does not reduce what he gave the club. Barcelona signed him to bring goals, authority and belief at a difficult time, and he delivered.

The next step for the club is making sure the succession plan is strong enough, because replacing his presence in the box is never simple.

The MLS move also protects the emotional side of the farewell. He gave everything to Barça for as long as he could and is now moving out of Europe.

Lewandowski is not joining a direct European rival. He is moving into a new football environment, likely as a franchise figure and perhaps later as an ambassador.

For Chicago Fire, this is a major coup, and hopefully the Polish striker can continue doing what he does best in America.