WATCH: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski Share Warm Moment Before Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami Match

Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski finally shared a special moment before Chicago Fire took on Inter Miami at Soldier Field on Wednesday night, bringing together two legendary forwards whose careers have crossed paths at some of football’s biggest moments. The two were seen talking and smiling before kick-off, ahead of their first MLS meeting on the same pitch. 

Messi y Lewa hablando antes del partido, voy a llorar de la felicidad pic.twitter.com/DL1pSQCD5B

— Jeff (@JeffFcb14) September 10, 2026

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Why Is Messi and Lewandowski’s Meeting Special?

Messi and Lewandowski have faced each other at the highest level, but their relationship has also been surrounded by headlines. One of the biggest talking points came around the 2021 Ballon d’Or, when Messi won the award and Lewandowski finished second.

Lewandowski had also been considered one of the leading candidates for the 2020 Ballon d’Or, which was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Messi later acknowledged the Polish striker during his acceptance speech. 

Messi y Lewandowski se enfrentan en Chicago 🫂

(vía MLS) pic.twitter.com/ubNk1apZEr

— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) September 10, 2026

Their rivalry came into focus again at the 2022 World Cup when Argentina faced Poland. Messi and Lewandowski were involved in a tense exchange during the match, although Argentina eventually won 2-0.

Now, years later, the two forwards find themselves in the same league. Lewandowski leads the Chicago Fire attack, while Messi remains the central figure for Inter Miami.

Lewandowski Gives Chicago Fire the Lead

The reunion has already been followed by a goal from one of the two stars.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI.

The heavyweights are going at it and Lewandowski hits first. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/XmEttvXxGo

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 10, 2026

Chicago Fire lead Inter Miami 1-0, with Lewandowski opening the scoring in the 10th minute. Andrew Gutman provided the assist as the Polish striker put the hosts ahead at Soldier Field.

The match is currently underway, and it is half-time at the time of writing. Here are the lineups: 

Chicago Fire Starting XIs: Brady, Dean, Elliott, Noah Allen, Gutman, Salétros, D’Avilla, Lod, Zinckernagel, Lewandowski, and Haile-Selassie. 

Subs: Cohen, Barroso, Rogers, Gómez, Oregel Jr., Pineda, Poreba, Turdean, and Dithejane.

Inter Miami Starting XIs: St. Clair, Fray, Falcón, Casemiro, Caicedo, Segovia, De Paul, Bright, Berterame, Suárez, and Messi.

Subs: Rios-Novo, Mura, Sumalla, Abadia, Shaw, Ayala, Plambeck, Delinois, and Pinter.