Robert Lewandowski's Poland standoff ignites captaincy firestorm

The FC Barcelona striker has vowed not to return until Probierz is sacked, following the coach's decision to strip him of the captain's armband. Probierz defended his move, stating it was "for the team's benefit," according to Polish outlet Sportowe Fakty.

In an interview with Sportowe Fakty, Lewandowski accused Probierz of caving to media pressure. "It feels like the manager succumbed to outside noise," he said. "He went back on our agreements, and I'm stunned by his actions."

The 36-year-old revealed the captaincy decision was delivered through an unexpected phone call. "I was tucking my kids into bed when Michal Probierz rang me out of the blue," Lewandowski recounted.

"He said he was taking the armband away. The call lasted barely a few minutes. Before I could even tell my family, the Polish Football Association had already posted it online. The way they handled it was staggering."

Lewandowski has captained Poland for 11 years and represented the national side for 17, scoring 82 goals in 154 appearances. His legacy as Poland's greatest player is undisputed, making the manner of his demotion all the more contentious.

"This isn't about a short stint as captain," he said. "I've led the team for over a decade and given my heart to Poland for nearly two. This should've been dealt with differently, especially with a big game on the horizon. A phone call just isn't right. The manager broke my trust."

He was adamant his issue lies with the process, not the national team itself. "I'm not suddenly rejecting the squad," Lewandowski clarified. "Poland have always been my priority, but the way this was done hurts, not just losing the armband, but how it was communicated."

The topic remains a trending discussion on X, with fans speculating on whether Lewandowski will stick to his boycott as Poland's next match approaches.

With a key fixture looming, Poland face a turbulent period. Lewandowski's potential absence could disrupt team morale, while Probierz's leadership is under the microscope.

The rift between the nation's football icon and their manager shows no signs of resolution, leaving supporters anxious about what lies ahead for the national side.