Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has announced his decision to step away from the Poland national team due to a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Michał Probierz.
The 36-year-old forward made the announcement via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, citing a "loss of trust" in the current manager as the primary reason for his withdrawal.
"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," Lewandowski wrote. "I hope I will have the chance to play again for the best fans in the world."
Background to the Decision
Prior to this announcement, Lewandowski had already withdrawn from Poland's June international camp, telling Probierz he was "mentally tired." The striker was absent for Poland's friendly victory over Moldova on Friday and will not participate in their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 10.
This development represents a significant blow to Poland's national team ambitions, as Lewandowski has been the cornerstone of Polish football for over a decade. His conditional withdrawal suggests the possibility of a return should there be a change in the coaching position.
The timing is particularly challenging as Poland prepares for their World Cup qualification campaign, with the team now facing the prospect of competing without their talismanic captain and all-time leading goalscorer.
Neither the Polish Football Association nor coach Michał Probierz have issued an official response to Lewandowski's announcement at the time of reporting.
The Barcelona striker continues to perform at the highest level in club football despite being in the latter stages of his career, making his absence from the national team all the more significant for Polish football.
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