Robert Lewandowski has announced he will not represent Poland as long as Michal Probierz remains head coach. The striker, who has netted 85 times in 158 appearances for his country, has been left out of the current international squad following a change in team leadership.
The Polish Football Association confirmed on Sunday that coach Probierz had directly communicated his decision to the players and staff, appointing Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain. Lewandowski, currently with Barcelona, responded publicly, expressing disappointment over the shift.
In a statement shared on social media, the 36-year-old striker wrote that the situation had led to a breakdown in trust with the national team’s coach. “I have decided to withdraw from playing for the national team while Michal Probierz continues in his role,” he said. He also added his hope to once again represent the fans he called “the best in the world.”
Changes in leadership after Euro 2024 exit
Michal Probierz took charge of the national team in September 2023. However, his tenure has faced scrutiny following Poland’s disappointing performance at Euro 2024, where the team finished at the bottom of their group and became the first side eliminated from the tournament.
Despite the poor showing in the European Championship, Poland has had a positive start in their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. They currently lead their group after securing two victories from two matches. The Netherlands sits third, having played one match and collected three points.
Ahead of the next qualifier against Finland on Tuesday, the Polish FA announced that Probierz and new captain Zielinski will speak at a news conference on Monday. Zielinski, 31, will be addressing the media in his first appearance since assuming the role.
