'Betrayed' Robert Lewandowski feels 'loss of trust' with Poland head coach amid World Cup qualifying campaign
Updated 09/06/2025 at 21:25 GMT+1
Robert Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the greatest Polish footballers of all-time, with 85 goals in 158 appearances for his national team. However, his international future is in doubt after he revealed that he would not play for Poland so long as Michal Probierz remains manager. Lewandowski insists the way his former coach has treated him has left him feeling hurt and betrayed.
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Robert Lewandowski said he would not represent Poland as long as head coach Michal Probierz remains in place after feeling "betrayed" by the manner in which he lost the captain's armband.
The country's record goalscorer said on social media that he feels a "loss of trust" in the Poland head coach, the 36-year-old adding that he hopes to remain with a chance of appearing for his nation again.
He wrote: "Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge.
"I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world."
Lewandowski's social media comments came ahead of Poland's World Cup qualifier against Finland on Tuesday, as Probierz named Inter midfielder Piotr Zielinski as his captain, with Lewandowski absent from the squad citing mental and physical tiredness.
Speaking to Polish outlet WP SportoweFakty, Lewandowski said he was particularly upset with how the decision was communicated.
"I haven’t been captain for a year or two," he said. "I’ve been wearing the armband for 11 years, and I’ve been playing for the national team for 17.
"It seemed to me that such matters should be handled differently.
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"Everything was communicated over the phone. It really shouldn’t be like this. The coach betrayed my trust. The national team has always been the most important thing to me. At the same time, I’m very hurt by what happened.
"It’s not even about the decision regarding the armband, but about the way it was communicated to me."
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The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund star has scored 85 goals in 158 appearances for Poland since making his international debut in 2008.
Lewandowski was asked if the time was right for him to retire from international football for good. However, he insists he still cares deeply about representing his national team.
"I want to sit down and think about it all calmly," he added. "I need to catch my breath.
"Then I will be able to say more about my thoughts and what’s next. Today there is regret and anger. I have always cared a lot about the national team. Nothing has changed in that respect."
A statement from the Polish FA read: "The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision".
Probierz said on Monday that "the time and place in which such decisions are made is always very difficult, especially since he is an outstanding player, but I decided that this is a good time for a change."
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