Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is 'no leader or captain' says former Poland international
- Seb Sternik
- 23 June 2023
Robert Lewandowski's leadership credentials have been questioned following Poland's 3-2 defeat to Moldova.
One of the biggest shocks during the recent international break was Moldova's 3-2 victory over Poland in their Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Poles squandered a first-half 2-0 lead despite boasting a squad full of La Liga, Premier League and Serie A talent.
Ferando Santos and his men are second-bottom in Group E after the opening three matches, and trail second-placed Albania by three points.
While the entire team was scolded by Polish media over the shocking result in Chisinau, former international Radoslaw Kaluzny was particularly frustrated with captain Robert Lewandowski.
The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has questioned Lewandowski over his mentality and credentials for being a captain.
Kaluzny told Przeglad Sportowy: "On the embarrassment in Moldova, probably everything has already been said and ... ridiculed. The perpetrators fled to the locker room after the final whistle. They lacked the courage to approach the camera and say anything.
"This team has been without a leader for a long time. Robert Lewandowski certainly never was [that leader]. Now he washed his hands too.
"Had he taken the opportunities he had in Chisinau, we would have had three points in our pocket. Of course, he wasn't the only culprit. Everyone screwed up the case.
"As for Robert's leadership - it is in difficult moments that he should pull the team mentally, shake it. But for this you need the character of the herd leader. And Robert is not one bit of that and never has been.
"He's an outstanding footballer, no doubt about it. But he's no leader or captain.
"Anyway, whenever a scandal broke out or the team did not go well - Robert was absent. Gigantic bonuses for leaving the group? He heard nothing. Participation in the dismissal of staff coaches? Does not know anything. And so on."
Lewandowski scored one of the goals as Poland took an early lead away in Moldova.
Despite this, Kaluzny believes the Barcelona ace has fallen short in his position as skipper.
He added: "I believe that the last true leader and captain of the team was Jakub Blaszczykowski. In difficult or even hopeless situations, he would pick up the team and not disappear like "Lewy".
"In the changing room, as I know from other but credible sources, after his words the plaster from the ceiling was falling onto the floor.
"The captain and the leader is someone who, after such a nightmare as in Moldova, comes up to the camera and tries to explain something, to explain himself to the fans. Earlier on the field, he tries to start a fire among his teammates when it dies down. Have we ever seen Robert under such circumstances? The answer is clear."
