President Andrzej Duda bestowed the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta on Robert Lewandowski for his incredible sports achievements and promotion of Poland in the world
As the Polish national team captain and Bayern Munich star player, Lewandowski received the distinction during an official ceremony in the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on Monday. The Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta is one of the highest Polish state distinctions a person can be awarded. During the awarding ceremony, Duda did not spare any words of praise towards Lewandowski.
“You sir, are the quintessence of perfection. The character traits which predestine you to such achievements are the fruit of the upbringing you received from your parents. You are incredibly systematic and organized in your actions. This is incredibly impressive when one observes your career,” Duda said.
The president said he believed that Lewandowski deserved the distinction because he represents Poland in an extraordinary fashion.
“You always emphasize while breaking records that you are a Pole. You are building Poland’s good name. You are also a patriot, proof of which is your participation in the event on occasion of Poland’s independence centenary when you promoted the correct way of singing Poland’s anthem,” he added.
Presidential photographer Jakub Szymczuk shared a picture in which Lewandowski demonstrated his football skills in front of the president and first lady.
Prezydent @AndrzejDuda z Pierwszą Damą i mistrz @lewy_official pic.twitter.com/4eILjawgBD
— Jakub Szymczuk (@jakub_szymczuk) March 22, 2021
Lewandowski himself emphasized that football is a team sport and everything that he has achieved is also due to his coaches, staff, friends on the field, and his family.
“The whole which we create [as a team] lets us achieve successes and proudly represent Poland no matter whether I play in the national team, the Bundesliga or the Champions’ League. I always remember from where I’m from in the back of my mind. I have never been ashamed of that,” he said.
Lewandowski has so far played 116 times for the Polish national team and scored 63 goals, with both statistics representing records that far exceed any that have come before.
On Thursday, the Polish national team will play the Hungarian national team at 8:45 p.m. CET in Budapest. This will be the beginning of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier matches.
Title image: President Andrzej Duda decorates Robert Lewandowski with the distinction, source: Twitter, KPRP, Jakub Szymczuk.
