Following Poland’s elimination by Sweden in the World Cup playoff, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski was seen in a deeply emotional moment on the pitch. The 37-year-old captain, who has appeared in 165 games and scored 89 goals for Poland, faces growing public debate about whether he should continue representing his country.
A poll by the Polish media outlet Gazeta Wyborcza revealed a split in fan opinion: 48.4% want Lewandowski to stay, while 51.6% believe it’s time for him to step down from international duty.
After the match, Lewandowski spent a considerable time applauding Polish supporters alone, interpreted by many as a symbolic farewell gesture. Meanwhile, the Polish Football Federation confirmed the continuation of coach Jan Urban, who had persuaded Lewandowski to return to the national team after earlier conflicts with former coach Michal Probierz.
This moment highlights a crossroads for Poland’s team. With Lewandowski approaching 38 and the national side missing out on another World Cup, the debate underscores challenges of balancing the presence of a legendary captain with the demands for squad rejuvenation.
