DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Robert Lewandowski cradled the neck of Kylian Mbappé, whose face was bowed as if to let the Poland veteran kiss the highest of his head.It was a fatherly gesture from the 34-year-old FIFA world participant of the yr to the 23-year-old France celebrity who’s now on the quick observe to successful the following award.Lewandowski smiled when approaching Mbappé after the ultimate whistle Sunday, embracing him with a heat hug despite the fact that the younger man’s two objectives had helped finish his World Cup in a 3-1 loss that despatched France to the quarterfinals.A number of minutes later, Lewandowski lingered because the final participant left on the sphere, applauding Poland followers within the nook and the group’s households and buddies in the principle stand.It positive seemed like a sluggish stroll away from a final World Cup for Lewandowski, who will probably be two months in need of his thirty eighth birthday when the 2026 event begins in North America.“It’s robust to say now,” mentioned the daddy of two daughters who final month left residence to arrange for the event in Qatar and posted a photograph on social media hugging them with the message “goodbyes are by no means straightforward.”“Bodily I’m not afraid about this,” Lewandowski mentioned about staying in prime form till 2026, “however you’ve gotten so many alternative issues exterior soccer that determine that your happiness remains to be there.”If this was a farewell, then his remaining act on the World Cup stage was really curious for a person admired for enjoying and respecting the sport the fitting manner.Lewandowski transformed a penalty kick within the ninth minute of stoppage time — as near rubbish time because it will get at soccer’s largest occasion — however he infuriated the French followers on the fast-emptying Al Thumama Stadium by the way through which he took it.Trailing 3-0 and stepping as much as the spot for basically the final kick of the match, Lewandowski indulged in a stop-start, stutter-step run to trick France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into shifting too quickly. The veteran keeper was a full step off his line when he saved a weak kick as Lewandowski turned away, arms on hips.The referee, nevertheless, ordered a re-take as a result of Lloris moved too far-off from the road, and Lewandowski stuttered towards the ball once more. Lloris dived left, however this time the ball nestled within the different nook of the online.French followers jeered as Lewandowski jumped up in a fast and muted celebration.A second profession World Cup objective clearly mattered to a soccer nice who had an earlier penalty saved in a 0-0 draw with Mexico 12 days in the past. He cried after lastly scoring on the World Cup final weekend towards Saudi Arabia.Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz acknowledged it may very well be robust for his captain, who doesn’t get the identical provide of passes he loved in a prolific membership profession with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Barcelona.“Now we have some limitations,” Michniewicz mentioned by means of a translator. “I feel Robert is in a tough state of affairs nevertheless it doesn’t imply he’s not going to attain for the nationwide group.“The best way he’s enjoying I feel he’s going to be a captain for a number of years.”Staying on for a 2024 European Championship in Germany, the place Lewandowski lived and performed for 12 years, appears possible.One other World Cup? Much less so.___
Lewandowski exit with Poland seems to be like World Cup farewell
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