Poland captain Robert Lewandowski has hinted at the possibility of retiring from international football following his country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, raising the prospect of the end of a remarkable era for the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The 37-year-old appeared visibly disappointed as the final whistle confirmed Poland’s absence from the tournament after a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final in Stockholm.

Hours after the match, Lewandowski posted a photo on social media showing himself leaving the pitch, accompanied by the song Time to Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli.

The result means the Barcelona striker could see his international career conclude without the major tournament appearance he had hoped for, following his return to the national team in August after a previous fallout with former coach Michał Probierz.

However, speaking after the match, Lewandowski downplayed the significance of his social media post, suggesting that no final decision has yet been made regarding his international future.

“I am not in a position to make any declarations. I will return to my club; I still have some matches to play. I will have to answer the question marks in the back of my head for myself,” he told Polish media.

With the next World Cup still four years away, Poland’s recent exit represents a bitter setback for Lewandowski, who has been a cornerstone of the national team since making his debut in 2008.

The Warsaw-born forward has captained Poland since 2014 and holds the record for both appearances and goals, having scored 89 times in 165 international matches.

Earlier in the play-off campaign, Lewandowski reflected on his future, acknowledging the importance of his career while suggesting he is beginning to prepare for life after football.

“As my career goes on, I appreciate certain moments more,” he said. “I’m not afraid to end my career because I’m starting to prepare for it… I know it’s a very important part of my life, but it’s not everything.”