Should Robert Lewandowski Reconsider Poland Retirement?

Football isn’t always about tactics and trophies; sometimes, respect comes in the way as well. In June 2025, Polish football faced a quiet storm when Robert Lewandowski, the nation’s most iconic player, declared he was stepping away from international duty. Not because of injury or any other reason, but because of something far deeper, a sense of betrayal.

The controversy unfolded after the then-Head Coach, Michal Probierz, decided to strip Lewandowski of the Poland captaincy and not break the news in person. The striker later revealed that he received a late-night call while tucking his children into bed. There was no explanation, no discussion. The next morning, it was public. Piotr Zielinski had been named the new captain.

For Lewandowski, it wasn’t just about losing the armband. It was about being discarded, reduced to a headline after everything he had given. After that, he made a clear decision. As long as Probierz was in charge, he would not return to the national team. That might have been the end of the story, but football has a funny way of turning things around.

Jan Urban Steps In

Just a few weeks later, after a shocking 2–1 home defeat to Finland in a must-win World Cup qualifier, Probierz handed in his resignation. Whether he jumped or was pushed, the result was the same: Poland was in chaos, their greatest player had walked away, and something had to change.

On July 17, Urban was unveiled as the new head coach of the Polish national team at Warsaw’s National Stadium. Unlike his predecessor, Urban approached the Lewandowski situation with empathy rather than ego. At his first press conference, he didn’t dance around the elephant in the room. He called it a mistake.

“For me, Lewandowski is a striker who, if you create a chance for him, will do his job perfectly,” Urban said. “In my opinion, Probierz made a mistake by taking away the captain’s armband.” Urban made it clear he wanted Robert back, not just as a squad player, but as captain and leader. Lewandowski’s numbers still speak volumes. At 36, he’s not slowing down, he scored 42 goals last season for Barcelona in all competitions, competing in the top tier of European football. As Urban rightly pointed out, “He’s doing it in Spain, not in Saudi Arabia.”

A Career At a Crossroads: Does Robert Come Back?

It is easy to forget just how much he’s given to the national team: 158 appearances, 85 goals, a record that may never be touched. He’s carried Poland through Euros, World Cups, and Nations League campaigns, often almost single-handedly.

In June, he sounded tired. Not just physically, but mentally. After a long, gruelling season with Barcelona in which he played more than 50 games and led them to Copa del Rey and La Liga glory. Lewandowski opted out of Poland’s summer fixtures, including that crucial match against Finland. On social media, he spoke openly about emotional exhaustion, about the toll of competing at the top for so many years.

Now, with Probierz gone and a new coach extending an olive branch, Lewandowski finds himself in a different position. The September fixtures, against the Netherlands away and Finland at home, are make-or-break in Poland’s World Cup qualification hopes. Urban knows that, and so does Lewa.

Final Thoughts

It is not as easy as just picking up the phone. Trust has to be rebuilt. Instead of leaving hurt and unheard, Lewandowski could return as captain, lead his country into the final stretch of World Cup qualifying, and maybe, end his international career on a good note.

He would not be doing it for the federation. He would not even be doing it for the coach. He would be doing it for the badge and for the millions of Polish fans who have sung his name for over a decade. Whatever he decides, the nation will understand, but for now, a door has opened, and the whole of Poland is waiting on the other side, hoping that their greatest striker will walk back through it.