Lewandowski told ESPN, "I don't think we saw the best version of Lamine at this tournament. In my opinion, his best version was two seasons ago, not last season."

Yamal entered the tournament with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for about two months before the World Cup. Coach Luis de la Fuente limited the 19-year-old's playing time in the initial matches.

Despite this, the Barcelona forward played all eight matches, scoring one goal and completing 35 successful dribbles, the most in the tournament. The 19-year-old was a key player in Spain's championship run, helping them defeat Portugal, France, and then Argentina 1-0 in the final.

Lamine Yamal celebrates with his teammates during the Spanish national team's 2026 World Cup championship parade at Cibeles square, Madrid, on 20/7. Photo: *AP*

Lewandowski attributed Yamal's form to his extended absence, suggesting the break hindered his physical condition and match sharpness. "He was out for about eight weeks and then had to make an immediate comeback at the World Cup," the Polish striker added. "With the tournament running continuously, there's almost no time to train. Despite that, Lamine still showed a high level. The entire Spanish team supported him well, and Lamine, in turn, contributed significantly to the squad."

Lewandowski played alongside Yamal at Barcelona for 127 matches across all competitions. The 37-year-old striker stated that his relationships with several Spanish national team players, including Gavi, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, and Ferran Torres, led him to support Spain in the final against Argentina.

"On Argentina's side, I'm only really close with Messi. He had already won the World Cup, and I wanted Spain to win because I knew they deserved it and were ready for it," Lewandowski revealed. "This is a very young team, and their future is wide open."

After leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2025-2026 season, Lewandowski joined Chicago Fire on a free transfer with a two-year contract. "After Barcelona, I couldn't imagine playing for another club in Europe. So, I only considered destinations on other continents," the Polish striker said.

Lewandowski debuted in Major League Soccer (MLS) in Chicago Fire's 2-3 loss against Inter Miami. Chicago Fire opened the scoring after an opponent's goalkeeper miskick but lost to a Luis Suarez brace. Lewandowski took only one shot in 62 minutes on the field. The loss left Chicago Fire in third place, one spot behind Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference standings.

Chicago Fire striker Robert Lewandowski dribbles the ball in the first half of a Major League Soccer (MLS) match against Inter Miami at Chase Stadium, Miami, Florida, on 22/7. Photo: *AP*

"I only trained with the team for two sessions, so I didn't expect much," the former Bayern player shared. "The goal for the first match was to get a feel for the game for about 45-60 minutes. Things will get better with time."

Vy Anh