Ballon d’Or favourite Robert Lewandowski has sent a touching message to West Ham United star Lukasz Fabianski.
West Ham’s current number one goalkeeper Fabianski bid an emotional farewell to international football as he brought the curtain down on his Poland career on Saturday night.
The former Hammer of the Year left the pitch in a flood of tears to a standing ovation and a guard of honour after being deliberately substituted in the 57th minute of his 57th and final cap.
Hammers ‘keeper given fitting farewell
The West Ham star didn’t concede in his final game as Poland thrashed San Marino 5-0 in World Cup qualifying.
Fabianski retired from international football after the Euros in the summer to focus on keeping his place at West Ham.
But the West Ham man, who turns 37 later this season, was handed one last cap as a farewell in a classy gesture.
Ballon d’Or favourite Robert Lewandowski sends touching message to West Ham star Lukasz Fabianski
Bayern Munich’s world elite striker Lewandowski also played in the game after being made favourite to win the coveted Ballon d’Or.
Lewandowski shared an embrace with Fabianski as the West Ham stopper left the pitch in a Poland shirt for the last time.
And after the game Lewandowski paid a touching tribute to the long serving West Ham star Fabianski on social media.
“Three points, new challenges are ahead of us,” Lewandowski said on Twitter.
‘Shows how much you meant’
“Thanks Lukasz Fabianski for all those years spent together on the pitch and great performances for Polska.
“15 years in the squad shows how much you meant to this team.”
West Ham posted a message to Fabianski ahead of the game.
The club told the goalkeeper he had enjoyed an international career to be proud of.
Classy send off just what Fab deserved
The Polish national team also sent a series of emotional messages to Fabianski, who has been one of West Ham’s finest goalkeepers of the modern era.
“When you get up in the morning, check the news and hope it was just a dream,” the Poland national team’s official account posted.
“Fabian, thank you!”
While Lewandowski focuses on maintaining his ridiculous scoring record, Fabianski’s attentions will now turn to keeping his place in the West Ham team which is under threat from Alphonse Areola.
One player who hasn’t joined Lewandowski on the Ballon d’Or list is West Ham star Tomas Soucek.
That’s despite being named the seventh best player in Europe over the last 12 months.
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