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Major League Soccer

·15 July 2026

By Charles Boehm

For eight glorious and trophy-filled years, the partnership between Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller was among the most recognizable combinations at Bayern Munich – as iconic as the club’s red and blue colours, Oktoberfest traditions, or the pairing of weißwurst sausage with sauerkraut. Together, they propelled the German giants to a UEFA Champions League title, eight Bundesliga crowns, three DFB-Pokal victories, and a FIFA Club World Cup triumph.

Although Lewandowski has always been a prolific goal scorer for every club he has represented – from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona – no one has consistently brought the best out of his sharp finishing instincts quite like Müller.

The ‘Raumdeuter’ – or ‘space interpreter’ – provided an astonishing 42 assists to his Polish teammate during their time together in the Bundesliga, contributing to Lewandowski’s extraordinary total of 344 goals in all competitions for the Bavarians. This output stands as a league record dating back to 1988, when such data began to be officially recorded, and is more than twice that of the next most productive pairing.

“Lewandowski was the strike partner I played with the longest and most intensely,” Müller reflected following Lewandowski’s move to Barcelona in 2022. “We shared a special connection on the pitch.”

The duo developed an extraordinary understanding of each other’s movements in and around the penalty area. However, their synchronicity extended beyond attacking play – they were also instrumental in leading Bayern’s relentless pressing and counterpressing system.

Those who have followed Müller’s performances for Vancouver Whitecaps FC since his arrival in British Columbia last summer will find these patterns of play familiar.

“Thomas Müller is a very intelligent guy,” Lewandowski explained in a 2024 interview with Rio Ferdinand. “On the pitch, he helped me a lot because when he was behind me pressing the defenders, he would guide me. Sometimes a striker can’t see when the defensive midfielder is shifting left or right. When he called out directions like ‘left, left,’ it helped me block passing lanes so the defender couldn’t find the No. 6. He made things easier for me, allowing me to focus on the next challenge.”

Earlier this year, as Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona neared its end, Müller once again lent a helping hand – this time off the field. Alongside former Bayern and Chicago Fire FC player Bastian Schweinsteiger, he provided valuable insights about Major League Soccer and life in North America.

Their guidance, combined with a compelling pitch from Chicago Fire’s head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter, convinced the Polish star to turn down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and instead begin a new chapter in the United States.

“I spoke with Bastian and Thomas about how things are going, how they view the league, and the differences,” Lewandowski said during his unveiling as Chicago Fire’s newest Designated Player on Tuesday. “When I asked about MLS, the city, and the club, they both told me wonderful things – not just about football and training, but also about life and family, which means a lot to me.”

He later added in Spanish: “Both of them explained how everything works. Now I’m sure that with my new team, we can take a big step forward. They’re doing a great job here, and I’m not only here to perform at the top level but to help the team progress both on and off the pitch.”

Lewandowski has just completed his trans-Atlantic journey and will have limited training time with his new teammates before possibly making his debut for Chicago Fire on Thursday evening, when they host Vancouver Whitecaps (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

At Soldier Field, the Polish forward will immediately recognize a familiar face – Müller, now one of the key figures driving Vancouver’s success. The Whitecaps currently lead the Western Conference standings, just one point behind overall leaders Nashville SC, as MLS action resumes after the FIFA World Cup break. Chicago are also performing impressively, sitting third in the Eastern Conference and hoping Lewandowski’s arrival can elevate them into the league’s elite group of MLS Cup contenders alongside Vancouver.

There’s an additional layer of intrigue in this matchup: Chicago defeated the Whitecaps 3-1 at BC Place last season. Vancouver midfielder Sebastian Berhalter will be eager for revenge against his father Gregg, who manages Chicago. Nevertheless, the spotlight will firmly be on the reunion of the two Bayern legends.

“I can’t share that, no no. Some secrets must remain secrets,” Müller said with a grin on Wednesday when asked what advice he had given Lewandowski about MLS and life in North America.

“But I’m really looking forward to seeing him again. We had great times together, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy it here. I’m just happy he’s not in our conference. I wish him all the best – he should score goals, goals, goals, but not tomorrow.”

So far, the build-up to the reunion has been filled with mutual respect and good humour.

Müller and the Whitecaps recorded a warm welcome video for Lewandowski, to which the Fire responded with a clip of Lewandowski watching the message and replying playfully: “I hope you will still be happy after losing the game,” he joked.

Once the match kicks off, however, the friendly tone will quickly give way to competition.

“Off the pitch, you can have fun with him. But that was in the past,” Müller said. “Now we’re opponents, my friend.”