Robert Lewandowski opens up on shock exit from Poland squad after unexpected call from Coach Probierz

After the Polish Football Association announced Robert Lewandowski’s replacement as captain by Piotr Zieliński, Lewandowski revealed he had resigned from the national team as long as coach Michał Probierz remained in charge.

Chirag

June 9, 2025

Lewandowski Quits Poland — Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Shortly after the Polish Football Association announced that Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński would replace Robert Lewandowski as captain on Sunday, the Barcelona striker declared that he had “resigned” from the national team as long as Michał Probierz remained head coach. Now 36, Lewandowski has clarified that his decision isn’t about the captaincy but revealed details about a “surprise call” from Probierz informing him of the change. The former Bayern Munich star also accused the coach of “betraying” his trust.

Speaking to WP SportoweFakty, Lewandowski explained: “I received an unexpected call from coach Michał Probierz telling me he had decided to remove the captain’s armband. I was completely unprepared—I was putting my children to bed. The conversation lasted just a few minutes. I didn’t even have time to inform my family or anyone else before a message appeared on the Polish FA’s website shortly afterward. The way this was handled really shocked me.

“I haven’t been captain for the past year or two, but I wore the armband for eleven years and have represented Poland for seventeen. I believed such decisions should be communicated differently, especially with so much time before the next training camp and an important match coming up. To receive this news over the phone felt disrespectful. I feel the coach betrayed my trust.

“That said, I want to stress that I’m not suddenly upset with the national team itself. Throughout my career, I’ve always given everything for the squad. Representing Poland has always been my top priority. However, I am deeply hurt—not just by the decision about the armband, but by how it was conveyed.”

Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of Poland’s greatest ever players, making his departure from the team a significant development. Reports suggest that some teammates are not too affected by the news, but whether both sides will maintain their positions remains uncertain, especially since Lewandowski is a key player for Poland.

He was expected to start in Poland’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier away against Finland on Tuesday, but unless a resolution is reached soon, the former Borussia Dortmund forward is set to miss the match.