Poland striker says world didn’t see the best version of teenager; Lewandowski ‘didn’t want to stay in Europe’ after Barca
Robert Lewandowski believes Lamine Yamal cooperated perfectly with the Spain team to make their World Cup triumph possible, even though the Barcelona winger was not at his best during the tournament because of injury.
Yamal arrived at the World Cup carrying a hamstring problem that had prematurely ended his season at Barcelona. Spain managed the 19-year-old’s workload during the opening matches, but he went on to appear in all eight games as Luis de la Fuente’s side won the tournament.
Spain beat Portugal in the round of 16 and France in the semi-finals before defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. Yamal scored only once during the competition, in the second game against Saudi Arabia, but completed a tournament-high 35 dribbles in 616 minutes.
Lewandowski, who played alongside Yamal at Barcelona, said the winger’s physical condition had affected his performances.
“Honestly, no, we didn’t [see his best this tournament],” Lewandowski said. “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.”
“He’s still young, he came to the World Cup after injury and he didn’t play for like eight weeks 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.
“But he showed really good quality. The Spain players and the team helped Lamine and Lamine also helped the whole team. I think that this cooperation was perfect.”
The Poland striker said his connection with several Spain players from his time at Barcelona allowed him to root for De la Fuente’s team in the final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Lewandowski and Yamal played 127 matches together for Barcelona, and the forward also shared a dressing room with Spain internationals Gavi, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi and Ferran Torres.
“I know a lot of players from Spain and I spent so much time in Barcelona with them, so I supported them a lot,” Lewandowski said. “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.”
Lewandowski left Barcelona at the end of last season and joined Chicago Fire on a two-year contract as a free agent in June. He said he had ruled out joining another European club.
“After I decided that I was leaving Barcelona, I didn’t want to stay in Europe,” he said. “After Barcelona I couldn’t imagine myself in any different team in Europe and that’s why I didn’t look in Europe, I just looked outside Europe.”
The 37-year-old added that conversations with Chicago head coach Gregg Berhalter and a visit to the city convinced him to move to Major League Soccer.
“After a couple of days that I spent in Chicago, I have to say that the city is amazing. The people are very kind and also the new teammates. They try to help me a lot and I appreciate it because the first days are so long.”
