Lewandowski hits out at Poland manager as issue escalates – ‘The coach betrayed my trust’ | OneFootball

Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski has spoken out forcefully about the issue that led to his withdrawal from the Polish national team, placing direct blame on head coach Michał Probierz for how events have unfolded.

The 36-year-old striker withdrew from the Poland squad for their ongoing matches following a taxing season with the club, with the player dealing with fitness issues towards the end of the campaign.

Soon after, it emerged that Lewandowski had been stripped of the Poland captaincy, following which he issued a statement in which he said that he would not return to the national team as long as Probierz was in charge.

Lewandowski explodes

Now, in an interview with WP Sportowe (h/t SPORT), Lewandowski shared his version of events and criticised the manner in which he was stripped of the captain’s armband by Probierz.

“I received a surprise call from coach Michał Probierz with the information that he had decided to take off the armband. I wasn’t prepared for it; I was putting my children to bed. The conversation lasted almost a minute,” revealed Lewandowski.

“I didn’t even have time to inform my family or talk to anyone about what had happened, because moments later a message appeared on the PZPN website. I was shocked by the way it was communicated to me.”

Michal Probierz – the Poland national team manager. (Photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz/Getty Images)

The striker expressed deep disappointment, particularly given his long-standing service to the national team, saying:

“I haven’t been captain for a year or two. I’ve had the armband for eleven years and I’ve been with the national team for seventeen years. I felt that these matters should be dealt with differently. Especially as the next international camp is a long way off.”

“Besides, we have an important match ahead of us and everything was communicated over the phone. It shouldn’t be like that. The coach betrayed my trust.”

Lewandowski stressed that the issue is not about holding the captaincy but about the lack of respect in how it was handled.

“I want to emphasise, however, it’s not that I’m suddenly offended by the national team. Over the years, I have always given it everything I have. The national team has always been the most important thing for me,” he said.

“At the same time, I am very hurt by what happened. It’s not even about the decision about the armband, it’s about the way it was communicated to me.”

The Barcelona striker went on to claim that Probierz had succumbed to public pressure and broken a mutual agreement about him not being a part of the squad for the current international break.

“I have the impression that the coach has given in to media pressure, he reneged on our agreement. The decision not to go to this call-up was a mutual pact and has not been explained,” stated Lewandowski.

No longer the captain of Poland. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Continuing, he added: “Before the last game against Athletic I called the coach and told him what I thought about my rest. He told me he was going to call me about it and we agreed. I was willing to join the training camp, but we agreed that I wouldn’t.

“I have always tried to find the best solution with the national team and I am a person you can talk to. After I didn’t go, there was a lot of media noise and I understand that that’s how things got to this point.”

Lewandowski also addressed reports that he criticised the coach and players in the dressing room following the Malta match, which allegedly had ruffled some of the squad members.

“There was a conversation but only with the coaching staff in which I expressed my point of view. No one else. It’s not something I’m doing for the first time. I have discussed it with many coaches and nothing has ever happened,” he explained.

“I just thought my remarks might help. I’ve never had any personal problems with any coach in my career and I’ve been with a lot of coaches like Klopp and Guardiola.”

Finally, Lewandowski did not clarify what decision he would make about his international future.

“I feel regret and anger because I care about my country’s national team. I want to think about it a lot. I need to catch my breath and talk later about how I feel and what I think,” he concluded.