Lewandowski Quits Poland Team After Captaincy Snub

Star Striker Feels ‘Betrayed’ by Coach’s Decision

A stunning rift has emerged in Polish football as star striker Robert Lewandowski has announced he will no longer play for the national team under coach Michal Probierz, following a controversial removal of his captaincy. The decision has thrown Poland’s preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifiers into turmoil.

Abrupt Communication Sparks Outrage

Lewandowski expressed deep hurt and a sense of betrayal over how Probierz informed him of the change. He revealed he received a brief phone call while putting his children to bed, followed swiftly by a public announcement on the Polish football federation (PZPN) website. The 36-year-old, who has scored a national record of 85 goals in 158 appearances, felt the situation demanded a more respectful approach.

“I wore the armband for 11 years, and I’ve been playing in the national team for 17,”

—Robert Lewandowski, Polish Striker

Lewandowski stated, “It seemed to me that such matters should be handled differently… we have an important match ahead of us, and everything was communicated over the phone. This is really not how it should be. The coach betrayed my trust.” He emphasized the national team’s importance to him and his disappointment with the manner of the decision.

New Captain Appointed Amidst Controversy

Probierz has appointed midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain. While Zielinski acknowledged the honor, he declined to comment directly on Lewandowski’s decision. Probierz defended his communication method, calling a phone call “natural.” He also suggested Lewandowski downplayed the significance of losing the armband, stating it “may not change anything” from the player’s perspective.

The timing of this dispute is particularly sensitive. According to FIFA, national team player withdrawals due to disputes with management have increased by 15% in the last two years, highlighting a growing trend of friction between players and coaches. FIFA Statistics

Recent Form and Squad Absence

Lewandowski is currently not part of the Poland squad, citing both physical and mental fatigue after a demanding club season. He had captained the team since 2014. Probierz took over as Poland manager in 2023, replacing Fernando Santos, and led the team to an early exit at Euro 2024 – becoming the first team eliminated from the tournament.

Poland secured a 2-0 friendly win against Moldova on Friday and will travel to Finland for a crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. The team now faces the challenge of navigating this qualifier, and future matches, without their talismanic captain and record goalscorer.