Barcelona star announces he will not be joining his national team this international break | OneFootball

FC Barcelona capped off their 2024/25 campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, as Robert Lewandowski stole the spotlight. The veteran striker bagged a brace, including his 100th goal for the club, continuing to defy age and expectations with another standout performance.

The 36-year-old was in the lead for the Pichichi for almost the entire season, but an injury that he suffered recently allowed Kylian Mbappe to take the lead on him. Ultimately, Lewandowski fell short and couldn’t win the award.

Despite this, the mere fact that the Pole is still competing for such award at this age is a remarkable feat. It looks like the veteran will continue leading the line for Barcelona for another season to come at the very least.

Robert Lewandowski has been in good form this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Lewandowski takes a step back

Interestingly, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona star has announced that he will not be joining the Polish national team this international break, a decision that was made in consultation with his coach.

Lewandowski pointed out that he had been dealing with fatigue from what has been a very long season and admitted that sometimes, you need to listen to what the body tells you. Here is what he said via his Instagram story (translated from Polish):

“Dear fans! Due to the circumstances and the intensity of the club’s season, the coach and I have jointly decided that I will not participate in the Polish national team’s training camp in June. Playing in red and white has always been a dream come true for me, but sometimes your body gives you a signal that it needs a temporary rest. I support the players with all my heart and believe we have beautiful moments and many goals to achieve. See you soon!”

Robert Lewandowski’s message. (via Instagram)

Rest and recharge

As one continues to age, it is bound to happen that the body takes longer to recover inbetween games. This season, Lewandowski has played numerous games for club and country and it looks like it has taken a toll on his physique.

There aren’t many players in world football who take care of their fitness better than the Pole does. It is one of the main reasons for his longevity at the top of the game and if he feels it’s time to take a step back, there is no need to argue against that.

For Barcelona and Hansi Flick, the hope is clear: that Lewandowski uses this break to fully recharge and return fresh for what promises to be an even more demanding 2025/26 season. With his dedication to fitness and professionalism, the Polish striker’s self-imposed rest could be just what he needs to stay sharp at the top level.