Poland and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski has insisted that he accepts fans' expectations of him ahead of Euro 2016, but is more concerned with the views of his coaches and teammates.
The 27-year-old is the poster boy for his national side after scoring 42 goals in all competitions for Bayern this season.
Poland head coach Adam Nawalka recently spoke of Lewandowski's importance to the team by insisting that he would not swap the striker for Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
In an interview with ESPN, Lewandowski said: "I'm happy to hear that [Nawalka wouldn't swap me]. Goals alone, however, don't reflect the true value of a forward. Most people only look at stats and assists. You don't score for two games and it's a crisis in the eyes of the public. I understand that, you have to accept that the game is seen in those terms, but you can't let that influence you.
"Many times, my coaches have been happiest with me when I didn't score but made some space by going wide, exactly as they told me to. Sometimes, you don't score and don't even get any shots at goal but your teammates come up to you and praise you for keeping the ball really well high up the pitch.
"As you get older and more experienced, you realise that the priority is not the numbers, nor the views of outsiders, but what your coach and teammates have to say."
Poland were co-hosts at Euro 2012, but could not get past the group phase.
Danielle Joynson
