Poland’s star striker, Robert Lewandowski, will miss his team’s Euro 2024 opener against the Netherlands due to a thigh injury.
The 35-year-old sustained the injury during a 2-1 victory against Turkey in their last warm-up match before the tournament.
Lewandowski, who plays for Barcelona, was substituted off after 33 minutes. His absence will be a significant blow to Poland’s hopes in the tournament, as Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.
“Lewandowski suffered a rupture of the biceps femoris muscle, which will exclude him from the first match of the tournament,” said a Poland statement.
Poland will need to find a way to cope without their talismanic forward as they look to navigate a tough group that also includes Austria and France.
Following the match against the Netherlands, Poland will face Austria in their second game on June 21, with their final Group D fixture against France scheduled for June 25.
The Polish team will be hoping that Lewandowski’s injury is not too serious and that he will be able to return to action for the latter stages of the tournament.
Defender Pawel Dawidowicz and striker Karol Swiderski also suffered injuries but should “return to full training within three to four days.”