Lewandowski: 'It's time to make more history'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — The sixth floor of the Conrad Hotel here in Fort Lauderdale was the scene of Robert Lewandowski's FC Barcelona welcome ceremony. It was a brief event, at which the Polish superstar said he was “very happy to be here. I saw the win against Inter Miami and I think there is a lot of potential. We have a lot of work to do.”

Accompanied by President Joan Laporta at an event marked by full sun and extreme heat and humidity, the Polish striker is ambitious. "I am ready to be part of this Club with a great history and to make even more history and win titles," he added.

The striker admitted to having had an "amazing" first few days in Miami, where he has already trained individually, and says that he wants "to train with his new teammates". Finally, the Lewandowski said that signing for Barça was "a new challenge."

"For strikers like me the objective is always to be prepared to score goals," he said.

Joan Laporta: “This is a signing heard around the world”

Before Lewandowski took the stage, it was President Joan Laporta who dedicated a few words of welcome. First, in Polish. Then, in Catalan: “Lewandowski has made an extraordinary effort to sign for Barça. We are very proud that you wanted to come and play here and we have high expectations."

“You are a football star and a hard worker," Laporta continued. "It is a signing that has had worldwide repercussions. We are putting Barça back in its place in the world."

"We are trying to put together a more and more competitive team," Laporta said.

At the end of the event, President Laporta handed Lewandowski his first Barça jersey and 'Lewy' put it on while the media in attendance snapped pictures and hit the record button. Later, Vice President Rafa Yuste, Football Director Mateu Alemany and International Area Director Jordi Cruyff joined in for a photo, followed by another photo with young players from the Barça Academy PRO in Miami and, finally, one with the entire Board of Directors.