Maciej Rybus will no longer be considered for Poland’s national team selection
Footballer Maciej Rybus says he expected to be banned from the Polish national team after signing for Spartak Moscow – a decision that ended his hopes of making it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It was announced in June that Rybus, 33, would not be considered for selection for his country after agreeing a two-year deal with Russian giants Spartak.
The left-back switched clubs in the Russian capital after a five-year spell at Lokomotiv Moscow that produced a Russian Premier League title, two Russian Cup successes as well as a Russian Supercup triumph.
But his decision to join Spartak when his contract expired with Lokomotiv upset many in his home country, despite Rybus having a Russian wife with whom he has two sons and has become a resident of the country.
An international career in which he won 66 caps for Poland and scored two goals is now over – although Rybus said he knew what to expect when he signed for Spartak.
“I spoke to the coach of the national team, he explained that this is the situation now.” told the defender Sport-Express.
“When I stayed in Russia, I understood 100% that I would not go to the World Cup. I decided to stay here, my family is here, I have been in Russia for a long time.”
Rybus admitted that his progress in any case meant he may have missed out on selection for the Polish squad.
“I have already played many matches in the national team. It is time to play youngsters,” Rybus said, although he added that he was open to a recall in the future if Polish football chiefs change their stance.
Poland was among the first countries to call for football sanctions against Russia after the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Poles were due to face Russia in a semi-final in the World Cup finals in Moscow in March. but refused to play the match.
Russian teams were then banned by UEFA and FIFA, giving Poland a bye to the play-off final, where they defeated Sweden to book their place at the Qatar World Cup later this year.
Rybus has been hampered by injury at the start of the 2022/23 season, but came off the bench to play 23 minutes of Spartak’s 4-1 win against Fakel in the Russian Premier League on Saturday.
Spartak are second in the table on 17 points after seven games played – one point behind leaders and current champions Zenit St. Petersburg.