In a dramatic turn of events, star striker Robert Lewandowski has announced that he will no longer represent the Poland national football team as long as Michał Probierz remains the head coach. The declaration, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), came after the veteran forward was stripped of his captaincy earlier the same day.
Lewandowski, 36, who holds the record as Poland’s all-time leading goal scorer, cited a breakdown in trust with coach Michał Probierz as the reason for stepping away from international duties. “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,” wrote the FC Barcelona striker.
The captain’s armband has now been handed to Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. According to the Polish Football Association, this leadership change was personally conveyed by Probierz to Lewandowski and the rest of the team and coaching staff.
Although stepping aside, Lewandowski left room for a potential return, stating his desire to once again represent his country and its passionate supporters if circumstances change. His absence had already sparked questions after he was left out of the squad for Poland’s 2–0 friendly win against Moldova on June 6 and the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 11. Polish news agency PAP confirmed the striker had requested time off to rest.
This move follows Poland’s disappointing campaign at UEFA Euro 2024, where they failed to secure a single win under Probierz and were eliminated at the group stage. Since taking over in 2023, Probierz has faced criticism for failing to get the best out of the squad.
Lewandowski’s legacy in Polish football remains monumental. Since his debut in 2008, he has earned 158 caps and scored 85 goals for the national side, featuring in multiple European Championships and World Cups. Despite his individual brilliance, international silverware has remained elusive.
At the club level, Lewandowski continues to shine. During the 2024–25 season, he was instrumental in FC Barcelona’s domestic treble, scoring 23 goals and providing 9 assists across all competitions, helping the team claim La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup titles.
With Poland currently leading Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after back-to-back wins, the national side must now chart their path forward without their most experienced and decorated player—at least for now.
