Ex-BVB professional Jakub Blaszczykowski has been emotionally dismissed from the Polish national football team. The number 16 man played the first 16 minutes in his 109th international match against Germany at Warsaw’s National Stadium.
To the applause of the fans, he then left the pitch through a trellis of players from both teams. The 37-year-old had previously bowed to the audience and hugged Robert Lewandowski, to whom he handed the captain’s armband.
The ex-Dortmunder had returned to the Polish selection after four years to say goodbye. Blaszczykowski recently made two brief appearances for second-division side Wisla Kraków following a cruciate ligament tear.
The midfielder was recognized by the Polish association before the match. “Kuba” received a jersey with the number 109.
“The national team has been with me all my life. For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to play for them, to represent our country. The game is the end of a stage,” he said previously.
The spectators kept chanting his name until he was substituted.
Blaszczykowski was German champion with BVB under coach Jürgen Klopp in 2011 and 2012.