“Sometimes the body gives a signal that it is necessary to take a breather for a moment,” the 36-year-old striker wrote on Instagram, adding he would “keep my fingers crossed for the boys.”
Lewandowski scored 42 goals in 52 games this term as Barça reached both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals and pushed Real Madrid in La Liga.
National coach Michał Probierz told TVP Sport: “Someone played 4,000 minutes, and you have to understand that.” The absence leaves Poland without their all-time leading scorer (83 goals) for the 6 June friendly against Moldova and a key World Cup qualifier versus Finland on 10 June.
Ex-Poland great Zbigniew Boniek said on YouTube channel Prawda Futbolu: “I wouldn’t do that […] but I respect his decision.”
Poland, who gather in Katowice on 2 June, are expected to battle Finland for second place in their qualifying group behind favorites the Netherlands.
(jh)
Source: PAP