Robert Lewandowski's ultimatum forces Poland coach Michal Probierz to quit

The dramatic fallout has left the White-Reds' 2026 World Cup qualification campaign in disarray.

Probierz stepped down just days after stripping Lewandowski of the team captaincy ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland. "I have come to the conclusion that, in the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of head coach," Probierz said in a statement released by the Polish Football Association (PZPN).

The decision to replace Lewandowski with Inter Milan's Piotr Zielinski as captain sparked outrage from the Barcelona forward, who responded with a bold ultimatum. "Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge," Lewandowski had said on social media.

His absence contributed to Poland's shock 2-1 defeat to Finland, a result that has jeopardized their qualification hopes.

Lewandowski, 36, is Poland's record appearance holder and top scorer, with 85 goals in 158 matches. Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in world football, his decision to withdraw from international duty stemmed from feeling "betrayed" by Probierz's handling of the captaincy change.

"I got a surprise call from coach Michal Probierz that he had decided to take away my armband. The conversation lasted about a minute," Lewandowski told Polish media. "The way this was communicated to me is really surprising."

The saga began when Lewandowski pulled out of a friendly against Moldova, citing physical and mental fatigue after a grueling La Liga title-winning season with Barcelona, where he scored 42 goals in 52 games. Probierz, who took charge in September 2023, defended his captaincy decision, stating, "This confirmed to me that we were on the right track." However, the move backfired, alienating his star player and dividing the squad.

Polish Football Association president Cezary Kulesza had summoned Probierz on Wednesday to address the crisis. "I give coaches a lot of freedom, but with that comes responsibility. I expect results, first and foremost," Kulesza said, reflecting the frustration of Poland's passionate fanbase.

No official statements from Lewandowski, Barcelona, or the PZPN have emerged on X since the resignation, but the door now appears open for the striker's return to international football.

Probierz's tenure, which included guiding Poland to Euro 2024 despite a group-stage exit, ends amid controversy. With their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, the White-Reds face an urgent task to appoint a new coach and reunite a fractured squad. For now, Lewandowski's bold stand has reshaped the future of Polish football.