An unfortunate injury a few days before the start of the Euro Championships ruled Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski out of contention for the Polish National Team to face off against the Netherlands.
The consequences of it are evident in the performance of the team. Without their icon fit and raring to go, Poland lost two back-to-back games to become the first team to be eliminated from the premier competition.
Lewandowski, in fact, hastened his recovery and worked his way back just in time to appear for the final half-hour against Austria in the team’s second game. Unfortunately, it was too little too late.
Hanging up the last straw
Heading into the third and probably most challenging match against France today, Poland are out of the reckoning for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament already.
Their result against Les Bleus hence counts for little more than the prestige accorded to the team and the players.
According to SPORT, though, Lewandowski is still totally focused on the match on hand despite his team’s elimination.
Lewandowski’s Poland were knocked out of Euro 2024. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
What lies ahead could be the last opportunity he has in his illustrious International career, so the Polish striker wants to show his commitment to the national team until the very end and will look to dish out a clinic on the night.
Lewandowski could well start against France given that he is back to full fitness. He will then proceed to enjoy a month off before joining Hansi Flick’s pre-season camp midway through next month.
The last dance?
Now, at 35, it is crystal clear that Lewandowski doesn’t have as much steam in his boat as he had a few years ago.
The Polish international finished strongly last season but was far from his usual sharp self up front and age most certainly looked to be catching up on him.
By then, Lewandowski’s game against France could very well be his last in a Poland shirt. After all, he will only be two years older for the next World Cup, and staying longer will only hamper preparation of the team for any other events without him.