Poland boss confirms Barcelona pact over Robert Lewandowski return | OneFootball

Robert Lewandowski has returned to Barcelona injury free following his return to national team duty with Poland.

The start to the 2025/26 season has been impacted by injuries for Lewandowski, as he missed the opening win away at Mallorca with a muscle issue and came off the bench in the 3-2 victory at Levante on August 23.

Hansi Flick again rolled him off the bench in the draw at Rayo Vallecano before the 37-year-old headed off to link up with Jan Urban’s squad.

It was a mixed overall window for Lewandowski and Urban with a late 1-1 draw in the Netherlands and a 3-1 home victory against Finland as their returning captain scored in the latter.

Lewandowski started both games, with Urban withdrawing him just off the hour mark in Rotterdam and Chorzow, as part of a joint plan to bring the striker back to full fitness.

Ahead of the Finland game, Lewandowski indicated his confidence over being ready to start games, ahead full return for club and country.

Poland boss confirms Lewandowski recovery plan

With Barcelona opting for caution over Lewandowski’s recovery, Urban confirmed a request from Flick ahead of the September camp.

“Lewandowski has been nursing an injury since preseason. We’ve talked about it. We knew it would be very difficult for him to play the full 90 minutes in both matches after a significant break,” as per quotes from Diario Sport.

Image via Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

“We considered the option of him not playing the full game against Finland, and it worked out perfectly. It was easier with Finland, so we made the change, and I’m sending Lewandowski back to Barcelona without any injury.”

Poland have racked up 10 points from their first five qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and they are currently level with Group G leaders Netherlands.

Up next for Poland and Lewandowski is a trip to Lithuania on October 12 before November games against the Dutch and Malta.