On September 1st (local time), Poland’s new captain Robert Lewandowski attended a national team press conference, discussing his feelings about returning to the national team, the earlier incident of being stripped of the captain’s armband by Michał Probierz, the goal of qualifying for the World Cup, and his current physical condition.
Returning to the Polish National Team
“Each of us understands what it means to be part of the Polish national team. I’m happy to be here at the training camp now. We all know our situation and what has happened—especially what happens on the pitch, because that’s the most important thing. Some things need to be let go, and we should focus on the future, keeping our eyes on what’s ahead.”
Whether He Smiled After Probierz’s Resignation
“Of course, I didn’t smile about it. Because every coaching change—whether at a club or a national team—is always a kind of failure for someone. This topic has already been discussed, and I’ve shared my views. There’s nothing more to add; I want to focus on what’s coming next.”
Thoughts on Being Stripped of the Captain’s Armband in June
“I don’t think this is a good time to talk about that incident. It was a difficult situation for both me and the national team. We’ve learned our lessons from it. From a human perspective, I wouldn’t say it was an easy experience. Fortunately, it happened a few months ago, and I’ve had time to reflect and sort out my thoughts—that has helped a lot. Considering my career, this break was quite long for me, but it was beneficial.”
Fans Chanting His Name to Show Support
“Emotionally speaking, it was really tough at first. But as time went on, I received support from the fans. When I saw that support, I felt something very special—it meant a great deal to me. I want to thank all the fans who stood by me during that time, because I never expected it at all. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things, helped me see things from a different angle, and gave me tremendous inner motivation and strength to act. I was shocked by the scale of that support. Thank you so much—I will never forget this.”
Kamil Grosicki’s Return to the National Team
“He’s always capable of making an impact. The most important thing is that Kamil has shown on the pitch that he’s in good form, and his ability deserves a place in the national team.”
“We often think about the future, but what’s happening right now is just as important. If he’s proven himself a leader at his club, why wouldn’t we let him help the national team?”
Goal of Qualifying for the World Cup
“I believe we will not only perform well in the next two games but also pick up points—that’s our goal. These are qualifiers, and our only objective is to reach the World Cup.”
Marcin Bułka’s Transfer to the Saudi League
“If we’re talking about the Saudi Arabian league, it’s not a weak competition. I think you can see that from the FIFA Club World Cup—it’s a league that’s growing. I never judge any player’s decisions. Marcin moved to the Saudi league and believes it’s the right choice, and that’s that.”
Limited Playing Time at the Start of the Season
“To be honest, I haven’t trained for two weeks. But the season has just begun; there’s still a long way to go. I don’t feel any pressure to come back and play as soon as possible. August is the best month to return to the pitch and find form, but things really get going in September. You have to stay positive and not feel pressured to play as much as possible. There are many games this season, so I’m taking it easy and not in a hurry. Obviously, getting playing time in every game would be good for me. I’m glad to be 100% ready for the new season.”
Will His Playing Time Be as Much as Before This Season?
“As the season progresses, we’ll see how I feel and the intensity of the games. I expect the start of the season to be as tough as last year, and we need to be prepared for that. I focus more on the quality of my performances than the quantity, so we’ll have discussions about that. I also realize the current intensity is high, so everyone needs rest.”
Can He Play Full 90 Minutes in Both September Games?
“Only when I’m on the pitch can I say whether I can play the full 90 minutes in both games. Right now, I can’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’—that would be too vague an answer.”
