New Delhi: Robert Lewandowski has announced that he will not play for the national team as long as Michal Probierz remains in charge. The Barcelona forward made the statement following a controversial decision to strip him of the captain’s armband.
Lewandowski has scored 85 goals in 158 appearances for his country and has been the all-time top scorer for Poland. The 38-year-old was notably absent from the current national team squad during this international window. On Sunday, the Polish Football Association confirmed that Probierz had informed Lewandowski and the rest of the team about his decision to appoint Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Robert Lewandowski announces that he will not play for Poland again as long as the Poland coach Michał Probierz is in charge. pic.twitter.com/GV3Qzc00V5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2025
‘I have lost trust in the coach’
Lewandowski shared his disappointment in a heartfelt social media post. He wrote, “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. I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”
A coach under pressure
Michal Probierz, who took over as head coach in September 2023, has faced intense criticism after Poland finished at the bottom of their group at Euro 2024. They were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament, a bitter pill for the fans to swallow.
Despite the Euro disappointment, Poland has started its World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on a positive note. They topped their group after winning their first two matches. The Netherlands sit third with one game played.
The Polish FA announced that Probierz will face the media on Monday to address the captaincy change and Lewandowski’s decision. He will be joined by the new captain, Piotr Zielinski.
For now, Lewandowski’s future with the national team remains uncertain. Fans will be hoping for a resolution but it’s clear that the rift between the legendary striker and his coach has created a new challenge for Poland’s World Cup hopes.
Robert Lewandowski refuses to play for Poland after losing captaincy to Piotr Zielinski, citing a loss of trust in coach Michal Probierz. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
