Why isn’t Robert Lewandowski playing for Poland against Netherlands?

POLAND will be hoping they can reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024 later this month.

They have a tough group with Holland, France and Austria also looking to make the round of 16.

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Robert Lewandowski has been Poland’s best player over the last decade[/caption]

Poland are up against Netherlands in their first game, but are without their star striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Barcelona striker is Poland’s all-time top goal-scorer and has been a stalwart at major tournaments for them over the years.

But he may miss the entirety of their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.

Why isn’t Robert Lewandowski playing for Poland against Netherlands?

The former Bayern Munich man isn’t in Poland’s starting XI because of a thigh injury he picked up before the tournament started.

“Lewandowski suffered a rupture of the biceps femoris muscle, which will exclude him from the first match of the tournament,’ Poland said in a statement.

“We are doing everything so that Robert can play in the second match against Austria.”

Lewandowski could miss remaining games against Austria and France if he fails to recover in time.

With Group D being such a tricky one to navigate, the 35-year-old miss the entire tournament.

Poland take on Austria on June 21 in their next game before finishing their group stages campaign against France on June 25.

If Lewandowski does manage to get back to full fitness, it will be his sixth major tournament for Poland.