On Sunday evening, June 8, 2025, Polish football reached a crossroads. Robert Lewandowski, the biggest star and top scorer in the history of the national team, announced his resignation from playing in the national team while Michał Probierz remains the coach. The decision, which was the culmination of a conflict with the coach and the effect of stripping him of the captain's armband, shook the team on the eve of a crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland.
The stripping of Robert Lewandowski of his captaincy by Michał Probierz caused a wave of emotions. The coach informed the player of the decision over the phone, while he was putting his children to sleep, and Piotr Zieliński was quickly announced as the new captain. The lack of a personal conversation and respect for the merits of a player who had led the team for 11 years and scored 85 goals for it, was perceived as an affront. The way the matter was handled was considered unworthy of a legend, one of the best strikers in the history of football, which caused outrage among fans and experts.
Tensions between Lewandowski and Probierz had been building for months. The March training camp came to a head after the match with Malta, when Lewandowski criticized the coaching staff for the way the team was playing in a heated exchange of words. The situation was exacerbated by an incident on the coach, when the captain played the song "Małe rzeczy" by Sylwia Grzeszczak, which Probierz took as a mockery of his philosophy of enjoying small successes, which he had mentioned at an earlier press conference. The coach, known for his conflictual management style, did not find common ground with Lewandowski, who as a leader expected a greater influence on the team. The differences in character and vision of the game only deepened the rift.
The change of captain to Zieliński was reportedly met with enthusiasm in the dressing room, suggesting a deep rift in the team. The players resented Lewandowski for his absence from the June training camp, explaining it as fatigue after the season in Barcelona. His appearance at Kamil Grosicki's farewell at the Silesian Stadium was seen as a show-off gesture, quickly concocted to improve PR, which did not convince the team.
Kamil Glik’s comment, “Bravo” under the announcement of the captaincy change, and the support for Probierz from other players, such as Piotr Zieliński, further emphasize the division in the team. Zieliński, the new captain, suggested in his first press conference that only those who “want to represent the country” come to training camps, which was a clear dig at Lewandowski.
Tomorrow's match against Finland will be a test for the team. If we see the team playing with much more determination and commitment than usual, it will be a sign that the players are fighting for their new captain and coach, which will partially confirm the reports of euphoria in the dressing room after the change of leadership.
The biggest threat, however, are potential image and financial problems. Lewandowski, as a global brand, is a magnet for sponsors, such as Orlen, which recently extended its contract with the Polish Football Association. Although sponsorship agreements do not contain a provision on the obligation of specific players to play, the absence of "Lewy" may affect the perception of the national team as a marketing product.
Probierz's decision to strip Lewandowski of the armband can only be justified by the team's spectacular results, which would cut off criticism. For now, however, the squad resembles a sinking ship. The lack of communication between the coach and the biggest star, the rift in the dressing room and Kulesza's lack of a clear vision are plunging the team into chaos. Tomorrow's match with Finland will show whether the team can unite under the new leade