Polish football legend Robert Lewandowski is set to return to international duty after a brief self-imposed exile, following the appointment of Jan Urban as the new head coach of the Poland national team.
The Barcelona striker had previously stepped away from the national team after a controversial fallout with former coach Michal Probierz, who stripped him of the captaincy ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Finland. The decision caused public uproar and led the 36-year-old forward to temporarily walk away from international football.
With Probierz now out of the picture, Lewandowski has reportedly made himself fully available to the new coach — with no preconditions, not even the reinstatement of his captaincy.
The fallout, though short-lived, had cast serious doubts over Lewandowski’s future with Poland. However, Urban’s public appeal to bring him back and the subsequent behind-the-scenes discussions seem to have repaired the rift. He is now expected to be named in the squad for the September World Cup qualifiers.
A national icon, Lewandowski holds the record for most international caps (158) and goals (85) for Poland. While it’s uncertain if he will regain the captain’s armband, his return is a major boost for the team’s campaign.
