Chicago Fire star Robert Lewandowski overtakes Messi in recent shirt sales

Since his summer arrival, Robert Lewandowski has become the top-selling jersey in MLS, challenging Lionel Messi's long-standing dominance.
Major League Soccer has a new commercial sensation. According to official figures released by the league on November 3, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has surged to the top of the jersey sales rankings since joining the Chicago Fire this past June.
While Lionel Messi remains the overall leader for the full 2026 calendar year, Lewandowski’s immediate popularity has seen him outsell every other player in the league during the period following his arrival. This shift highlights a growing appetite among fans for new global stars entering the American game.
Impact on and off the pitch
Beyond his commercial success, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich forward has been vital for head coach Gregg Berhalter. Lewandowski has registered seven goals and four assists, helping Chicago secure a second consecutive MLS Cup Playoff appearance, a feat the club has not achieved since 2009.
The full 2026 ranking places Messi at number one, followed by LAFC’s Son Heung-Min and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Müller. Lewandowski currently sits in fourth place for the year-to-date, with Orlando City’s summer signing Antoine Griezmann rounding out the top five.
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