Robert Lewandowski dropped a bombshell over the weekend when he announced he would no longer play for the [Poland national team while Michal Probierz is in charge](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/8/24445532/barcelona-striker-robert-lewandowski-drops-bombshell-and-quits-poland-duty).
The decision came after Probierz had taken the captaincy off the Barcelona striker, but he says that’s not the only reason for his decision.
> “I received a surprise call from coach Michał Probierz telling me that he had decided to remove my armband. I wasn’t expecting it at all; I was putting my children to bed,” he told Polish outlet WP Sportowe Fakty
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> “The conversation lasted a few minutes. I didn’t even have time to inform my family or talk to anyone about what had happened, because a few moments later, a message appeared on the PZPN website. The way it was communicated to me is really surprising to me.”
Barcelona’s striker went on to say that it was the way Probierz went about taking the captaincy away that had really hurt him
> “I haven’t been captain for a year or two. I’ve been wearing the armband for eleven years, and I’ve been playing for the national team for seventeen. It seemed to me that such matters should be handled differently. Especially since there’s a lot of time until the next training camp,” he explained.
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> “In addition, we have an important match ahead of us, and everything was communicated over the phone. It really shouldn’t be like this. The coach betrayed my trust.
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> “However, I want to emphasize: it’s not like I’m suddenly offended with the national team. Over the years, I’ve always given the squad everything I have. The national team has always been the most important thing to me.
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> “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.”
Lewandowski was also asked if he thought he’d ever play for Poland again and says he needs time to think things over.
> “I want to sit down and think about it all calmly. I need to catch my breath. Then I will be able to say more about my thoughts and what’s next,” he added.
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> “Today there is regret and anger. I have always cared a lot about the national team. Nothing has changed in that respect.
It’s not clear if that’s the end of Lewandowski’s Poland career or not. Probierz’s team have won both of their World Cup qualifiers so far and are back in action on Tuesday against Finland.