Barcelona superstar announces international retirement until coach is replaced
In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through Polish football, Robert Lewandowski has announced his decision to step away from international duty, with the forward stating that he won't return unless there is a change in the coaching setup.
The Barcelona forward made the bold declaration through his official social media, stating that he no longer has confidence in the current Poland manager, Michal Probierz.
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The situation began to unravel a few weeks ago when Lewandowski opted out of Poland's friendlies against Moldova and Finland.
At the time, the veteran striker claimed the decision had been made jointly with the coach, citing the demanding club season with Barça as a reason for his absence. But it appears that there was more brewing behind the scenes than initially revealed.
Captaincy decision sparks final break
Tensions escalated further when the Polish Football Federation announced that Lewandowski would be stripped of the captain's armband, handing it instead to midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
This public demotion only added fuel to an already fiery situation, triggering Lewandowski's immediate and stern response.
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'Given the circumstances and the loss of confidence in the coach of the Polish national team, I have decided to give up playing with the Polish national team until he is no longer the coach,' wrote Lewandowski.
He also thanked Polish supporters, calling them 'the best fans in the world,' and expressed his hope to represent the country again someday.
The fallout between Poland's most iconic player and their current coach marks a low point for the national side, especially ahead of important qualifiers.
For now, Lewandowski remains fully committed to Barcelona, but the message is clear — he won't wear the Poland shirt again until there's a new face on the touchline.
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