Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski responded to critics questioning his decision to skip Poland‘s friendly with Moldova and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Finland on Tuesday (June 10).
Last month, after Barca concluded a successful season, winning the domestic treble, Lewandowski informed fans that he wouldn’t feature in the June international break due to fatigue. He said (as per Barca Blaugranes):
The striker received criticism for the same, but Lewandowski has responded that he doesn’t need to explain his absence in international duty this month.
He continued:
Lewandowski concluded:
The 36-year-old is Poland’s top scorer with 84 goals in 157 games, including a strike in two games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Robert Lewandowski is coming off a fine 2024-25 season with Barcelona, who won the La Liga, Supercopa Espana and Copa del Rey titles, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid in two finals.
In his first season under his former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick, the Poland international amassed 42 goals and three assists in 52 games. His 27 strikes in the league were only behind Los Blancos striker Kylian Mbappe (31), who won the Golden Boot.
Lewandowski also struck 11 times in 13 games in the UEFA Champions League, where Barcelona lost 7-6 on aggregate to Inter Milan in the semis after a 4-3 extra-time second-leg home defeat.
Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.
Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.
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