Robert Lewandowski refuses to play for Poland ‘as long as coach is in charge’

Robert Lewandowski has surrender the Polish nationwide group, pronouncing he’s going to now not go back to play for his nation whilst the present supervisor stays within the position. Michal Probierz, who has been in command of Poland since 2023, changed Lewandowski as captain with Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski on Sunday.

“Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge,” Lewandowski, 36, wrote on social media. “I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”

The striker, who’s Poland’s document appearance-maker and most sensible scorer, was once now not integrated in Probierz’s squad for his or her fixtures in June with a purpose to relaxation after completing the membership season with Barcelona. “Playing in the white and red colours has always been a dream come true for me, but sometimes the body gives a signal that it is necessary to take a breather for a moment,” Lewandowski wrote on social media on 2 June.

Lewandowski did alternatively attend Friday’s pleasant win towards Moldova, showing at the bench along the executive Probierz, as Poland bode farewell to the ahead Kamil Grosicki, who was once incomes his 95th and ultimate cap.

Two days later, the Polish FA mentioned Lewandowski have been changed via Zielinski as captain of the nationwide group “by decision of the coach Michal Probierz”. A observation mentioned that “the coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision”.

Lewandowski has made 158 appearances for Poland – 49 greater than the second-highest cap holder Jakub Blaszczykowski – and scored 85 targets – 37 greater than the second one most sensible scorer, Wlodzimierz Lubanski. He has performed at two World Cups and 4 European Championships, together with Euro 2012, collectively hosted via Poland and Ukraine. Lewandowski first captained his nation in a World Cup qualifier towards San Marino in 2013.

Poland face Finland in Helsinki on Tuesday night time taking a look to take care of their 100% document in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.