Lamine Yamal: Robert Lewandowski on the Teenager's Potential

Robert Lewandowski has seen Lamine Yamal at his devastating best. In his eyes, the version the world watched in the United States was only a glimpse.

The former Barcelona striker, now with Chicago Fire, believes the teenager is still chasing the level he reached long before this summer’s World Cup.

“Honestly, no, we didn't [see his best this tournament],” Lewandowski told ESPN when asked if Yamal had hit his ceiling. For him, the benchmark was set well before the recent campaign. “The best performance, the best Lamine for me, of course, wasn't the last season, but two seasons ago, that was for me now the best version of Lamine Yamal.”

The context matters. Yamal arrived at the World Cup on the back of an injury and a long spell on the sidelines. Eight weeks without football is a lifetime for a player whose game is built on rhythm, sharpness and confidence in one‑v‑one duels.

“He's still young, he came to the World Cup after injury and he didn't play for like eight weeks,” Lewandowski explained. “So it's tough if you don't play eight weeks and you have to start playing in the World Cup, then you don't have time for the training just from game to game.”

The schedule gave him no breathing space, yet he still left a mark. The Polish forward saw enough to be reassured about Yamal’s trajectory, even if the fireworks were not as frequent.

“But he showed really good quality,” Lewandowski said. “The Spain players and the team helped Lamine and Lamine also helped the whole team. I think that this cooperation was perfect.”

That bond with the Spain squad went beyond tactical understanding. With Poland failing to qualify for the tournament, Lewandowski watched the latter stages as a spectator, not a rival. When Spain met Argentina in the final, his choice of allegiance was clear.

“I know a lot of players from Spain and I spent so much time in Barcelona with them, so I supported them a lot,” he admitted.

The decision was not a slight on Lionel Messi, a former opponent and long‑time superstar of the Argentina side, but it was rooted in familiarity.

“Of course, I know from Argentina personally only Leo, but I know that he won the last World Cup. That's why I support the Spanish national team because if you play with them, you spend a lot of time together then it's easier to support this team.

“I was happy because I know they were ready to win the World Cup. They are very young and the future is in front of them.”

For Yamal, that future now swings back to club football. After international duty and a much‑needed summer reset, his next task is simple and brutal: get back to peak physical condition and lead Barcelona into a new campaign, this time without the cushion of surprise. Expectations have caught up with his talent.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, has already turned the page. His move to MLS and Chicago Fire marks a sharp change of scenery, but not of ambition. He has debuted against Inter Miami CF and wasted no time setting the tone for what he wants this chapter to be.

“I'm ready to do this and try to help my team-mates and new club take the next step, and also to win some titles,” he said.

One career entering its American phase. Another just beginning to stretch into its prime at Camp Nou. Lewandowski is convinced the world has not yet seen the best Lamine Yamal — the real question is how quickly the youngster can drag that version of himself back to center stage.