Robert Lewandowski will forego representing Poland under the current head coach after relinquishing the captaincy.
In an explosive turn of events, Robert Lewandowski, Poland's all-time leading goal scorer, has announced his temporary hiatus from the national team due to a bitter fallout with the current manager, Michał Probierz.
The storm began brewing after Lewandowski was dethroned as the national team captain, with midfielder Piotr Zieliński taking over the reins. A statement from the Polish football federation confirmed the change in leadership.
"Following Coach Michal Probierz's decision, Piotr Zielinski now reigns as the captain of the Polish national team," the statement read.
Lewandowski responded swiftly, venting his frustration on social media. "Taking into account the circumstances and the loss of trust in the Polish national team coach, I have decided to step back from playing for the Polish national team as long as he remains the coach," he wrote. Showing a glimmer of hope, Lewandowski added, "I hope I will have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world."
Notably, Lewandowski is currently absent from the Poland squad, citing physical and mental exhaustion from a long season as the reason for his absence. Despite his step back, Lewandowski hasn't ruled out a return to the team if the situation improves.
The 36-year-old has scored a monumental 85 goals for Poland in a record 158 appearances and assumed the captaincy role in 2014. Probierz replaced the sacked Fernando Santos as Poland manager in 2023 and led them to Euro 2024, where his side were the first to be eliminated.
Despite the ongoing drama, Probierz is expected to address the media in a press conference on Monday. Poland recently defeated Moldova 2-0 in a friendly and will face Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Sources indicate that the rift between Lewandowski and Probierz is personal, rather than stemming from the team's performance under the current coach. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds. #Lewandowski #Poland #FootballDrama
In the aftermath of his temporary withdrawal from the Polish national team, Robert Lewandowski may find solace in European football leagues, especially since he has not ruled out a return to the team if the circumstances improve. This sports-related hiatus comes as Poland gears up for a World Cup qualifier against Finland, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the national team, primarily due to personal reasons between Lewandowski and coach Michal Probierz.
