Poland coach Michal Probierz has fired back at Robert Lewandowski after the Barcelona striker announced [he wouldn’t play for the national team again under the current coach](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/8/24445532/barcelona-striker-robert-lewandowski-drops-bombshell-and-quits-poland-duty).
[Lewandowski has also spoken out](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/6/9/24445876/barcelona-striker-robert-lewandowski-speaks-out-about-decision-to-quit-poland) about his decision to quit international duty, saying he didn’t like the way Probierz told him he would be losing the captaincy.
The Poland boss has now had his say and given his version of events.
> “I told Piotr at 20:45 that he would become captain, half an hour later I called Robert. Robert replied that the captain’s armband means nothing and that it will not change much for the team,” he told a press conference.
>
> “I think it will, that is why I made this decision. I informed Piotr and the chairman of the association, and then the whole team. They congratulated him.
>
> “Well, I went to my room and saw that Lewandowski had called. I called him back. Robert said he wanted me to change my mind, but I think it was the best possible decision. Then I had to read in the media that Robert didn’t want to be called up anymore. He’s an excellent player, whom I appreciate very much. Nobody here closes the door on him. I wish him the best.”
We’ll have to wait and see if the situation resolves but it could well be that Lewandowski does not play for Poland again and sits out World Cup 2026.