Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time leading scorer, has announced he is stepping back from international football—a decision he says he will uphold as long as Michał Probierz remains national team coach.
On 8 June 2025, Lewandowski issued a firm statement via social media:
“Considering the circumstances and the loss of trust in the coach of the Polish National Team, I decided to resign from playing in the Polish National Team until he is the coach. I hope that I will be able to play for the best fans in the world.”
The announcement follows a series of tensions between the 36-year-old forward and coach Probierz. Most notably, the coach recently stripped Lewandowski of the captaincy and handed the role to Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński. The decision reportedly left Lewandowski disappointed and hurt.
Prior to this, Lewandowski had withdrawn from Poland’s June 2025 international fixtures against Moldova and Finland, citing both physical exhaustion and mental fatigue after a demanding season with Barcelona. In an interview with TVP Sport, he said, “I told [Probierz] I wasn’t feeling well physically or mentally… I was in a slump at the time.”
Despite stepping down, Lewandowski has not ruled out a return to the national team in the future—if there is a change in leadership. His statement signals a clear stance: under the current coach, he will no longer participate.
Lewandowski retires with 85 goals in 158 appearances for Poland, making him the country’s all-time top scorer. His club career has included highly successful spells with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich—where he won the 2020 Champions League—and now Barcelona.
His departure comes at a critical time for Poland, who are in the midst of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. While some fans have expressed support for Lewandowski’s decision, others have voiced concern that his absence could weaken the team’s chances of qualifying.
The situation has increased pressure on coach Michał Probierz, with criticism mounting over his management of one of Poland’s most iconic footballers. Whether the national team’s leadership will shift in the coming months remains uncertain, but Lewandowski’s decision has sent shockwaves through Polish football.
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