Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski has made a dramatic decision to step away from the national team. This comes right after coach Michal Probierz stripped him of the captain's armband on Sunday, handing it to midfielder Piotr Zielinski instead.
Lewandowski didn't hold back his feelings about the situation. "Considering the circumstances and the loss of trust in the Polish national team coach, I have decided to step back from playing for the Polish national team as long as he remains the coach," he stated on social media.
The Barcelona striker added a message to supporters: "I hope I will have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world." This suggests he's not closing the door completely on his international career.
A Notable Absence
Lewandowski isn't with the current Poland squad. The 36-year-old cited physical and mental exhaustion after a long season as his reason for sitting out recent matches.
His importance to Polish football can't be overstated. He's the country's all-time leading scorer with an impressive 85 goals in a record 158 appearances. He had proudly worn the captain's armband since 2014.
The timing of this decision could significantly impact Poland's World Cup qualifying campaign. Without their talisman striker, Poland may struggle to find consistent goal-scoring form in upcoming matches.
Troubled Times for Polish Football
Probierz took over as Poland manager in 2023 after Fernando Santos was sacked. His tenure hasn't been smooth sailing so far.
Poland were the first team eliminated from Euro 2024, a disappointing showing for a squad with Lewandowski leading the line. This early exit raised questions about Probierz's tactical approach and team selections.
The Polish Football Federation (PZPN) confirmed that Probierz will address questions about the situation in a press conference on Monday. Football fans and bettors alike will be eagerly awaiting his explanation.
Poland did manage a 2-0 friendly win over Moldova on Friday without Lewandowski. They face Finland in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, a match that just became much more challenging without their star striker.
For anyone considering wagers on upcoming Poland matches, this development dramatically changes the outlook. Poland's goal-scoring potential takes a massive hit without Lewandowski, potentially making under goals markets more attractive for bettors.
The question now is whether this standoff between Poland's greatest ever player and the current coach will be resolved, or if we're witnessing the beginning of the end of Lewandowski's international career.
