Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski is refusing to play for the national team.

A Tussle with the Coach: Robert Lewandowski Stands His Ground, Snubs Polish National Team

Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski chose to abandon the Polish national team.

With 158 caps under his belt, scoring a remarkable 85 goals, Robert Lewandowski has pistoned his way through the Polish national team, even into his senior years. Yet, the legendary striker has flatly denied playing for Poland. The catalyst for this unforeseen action stems from a decision made by coach Michal Probierz.

Taking a firm stance, Robert Lewandowski has loudly voiced his discontent with the Polish Football Association, publicly stating, "Given the circumstances and the loss of trust in the coach of the Polish national team, I have decided to stand down from my duties in the Polish national team as long as he is in power." Essentially, Lewandowski is urging for Probierz's removal from office.

A seasoned veteran who has previously donned the colors of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Lewandowski opted to skip the ongoing World Cup qualifying round. Poland began their World Cup qualification journey in the spring, securing victories against Lithuania (1:0) and Malta (2:0), and they face Finland in their next match on Tuesday. Speaking to Polish sports channel TVP Sport, Lewandowski divulged that he had informed the coach about his state of mind, describing it as "physically and mentally drained."

Before Lewandowski's announcement, Probierz himself revealed that midfielder Piotr Zielinski would be the new captain of the national team. "Both Robert Lewandowski and the entire team, as well as the coaching staff, have been directly informed of this decision by the coach," the association revealed.

Attention Grabber: Lewandowski, the prolific goal-scorer for Poland, aims to guide his country to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The pressure on Probierz is mounting significantly in the wake of Lewandowski's statement.

Probierz's tenure as national coach has been underwhelming: During the European Championship held in Germany last year, Poland finished rock bottom in their group without winning a single game, with Austria, France, and the Netherlands ahead. In November, a 1:2 home defeat against Scotland sealed Poland's fate, as they were relegated from the top tier of the Nations League.

Source: ntv.de, tsi/dpa/sid

Robert Lewandowski
Sports
International Match

Behind the Scenes: A Succession Controversy

The conflict between Lewandowski and Probierz has been rooted in the decision to replace Lewandowski as captain and transfer the armband to Piotr Zieliński. Here are the principal reasons behind the discord and the subsequent call for the coach's dismissal:

Factors Propelling the Conflict

Captaincy Transition: The trouble began when Probierz decided to relieve Lewandowski of his captaincy position, citing the need to improve camaraderie within the team. This decision was unexpected and communicated without prior consultation, with Lewandowski being informed over a phone call while he was with his family [2].
Insufficient Respect: Lewandowski felt desecrated by the way the decision was conveyed. He believed that such a monumental change should have been handled with more deference for the player, given his extensive history as captain [2].
Media Influence: Lewandowski accused Probierz of capitulating to media pressure and violating prior agreements regarding communication with players. This lack of transparency and trust intensified the situation [2].
Deeper Team Issues: Lewandowski argued that the captaincy change was a cosmetic solution that neglected the true problems within the team. He believed that the team's issues were far deeper, and a change in captain would not significantly ameliorate performance [2].

Lewandowski's Reaction and Coach Dismissal Demand

National Team Boycott: In response to the captaincy change and the manner in which it was handled, Lewandowski declared that he would not play for the national team as long as Probierz remains in charge [1][2].
Dismissal Call: By refusing to play under Probierz, Lewandowski's stance is being perceived as a demand for the coach's dismissal. The situation has created dissension within the team and has instigated debates about the future leadership of the Polish national team [1][2].

In summary, the conflict exposes tension within the team leadership and its star player, affecting not only the team dynamics but also the broader football community.

I am not sure if Robert Lewandowski will participate in the European leagues this season, given his ongoing dispute with the Polish Football Association and the coach, Michal Probierz.
Despite skipping the ongoing World Cup qualifying round, it seems that Lewandowski's goal to guide Poland to the 2026 World Cup still stands, though his methods are causing a stir within the team and football community, as he advocates for Probierz's removal.