Poland captain Robert Lewandowski hinted at international retirement after his team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 37-year-old Barcelona striker watched helplessly as Poland lost 3-2 to Sweden in Tuesday's qualification playoff final in Stockholm.
Lewandowski posted a farewell photo on social media after the match, featuring the song 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. The defeat ends the Warsaw-born forward's dream of closing his record-breaking international career with a World Cup appearance.
The striker holds Poland's records with 89 goals in 165 matches since his 2008 debut. He returned to the national team in August after a dispute with former coach Michal Probierz.
"I am not in a position to make any declarations," Lewandowski told Polish media after the loss. "I will return to my club; I still have some matches to play. I will have to answer the question marks in the back of my head for myself."
With 2030 World Cup four years away, this likely marks the end of an era for Poland's greatest scorer.