Lewandowski hints at international retirement after missing World Cup
Poland's Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the game during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Play-off Semi-final soccer match between Poland and Albania at the PGE Narodowy. Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Captain Robert Lewandowski has suggested he will retire from the Polish national team after failing to qualify for the World Cup. Lewandowski, 37, posted a picture of himself on Instagram, captain's armband in his hand and looking dejected after the team's 3-2 play-off defeast in Sweden.
The post included the song Time To Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. The Barcelona striker did not want to name the post a farewell but "a message to our fans who believed in us" and he added that he didn't know yet how to continue. "I need to take some time and think about it, without making a statement right now," he said.
Lewandowski was bidding to play at a third World Cup. He made his Poland debut in 2008 en route to 165 caps with 89 goals, both national records. He quit the team last year after being stripped of the captaincy by then coach Michal Probierz but returned when Jan Urban was named new coach.