Dispute with coach escalates: Robert Lewandowski boycotts Polish national team

Robert Lewandowski has played 158 times for the Polish national team, scoring 85 goals. Even at an advanced age, the striker embodies world-class football – but now no longer wants to play for Poland. This was triggered by a decision by coach Michal Probierz.

Robert Lewandowski no longer wants to play for the Polish national team under current coach Michal Probierz and has massively increased the pressure on the association. "Given the circumstances and the loss of trust in the coach of the Polish national team, I have decided to cease my activities with the Polish national team as long as he remains in office," Lewandowski wrote to X. He is demanding nothing less than Probierz's dismissal.

He hoped to be able to play again "for the best fans in the world" afterward. The 36-year-old world-class striker, who previously played for Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich, decided not to participate in the current qualification window after a long season with FC Barcelona. The Polish national team began its World Cup qualifiers in the spring with two wins against Lithuania (1-0) and Malta (2-0) and will travel to Finland on Tuesday. Lewandowski told Polish broadcaster TVP Sport that he had told his coach that he was "not feeling well physically, but especially mentally."

Before Lewandowski's post, national coach Probierz had announced that Piotr Zielinski, rather than the striker, would be the national team's captain. "The coach personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team, and the coaching staff of his decision," the association said in a statement.

Lewandowski has played 158 international matches for Poland, scoring 85 goals. He aims to lead his nation to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The pressure on Probierz is likely to increase considerably following national hero Lewandowski's social media post.

The national coach's sporting record so far has been mixed: At last year's European Championship in Germany, Poland was eliminated in the group stage without a win, finishing last in their group behind Austria, France and the Netherlands. In November, a 2-1 home defeat against Scotland sealed their relegation from League A of the Nations League.