For Wojciech Szczesny, a career in football has taken an unexpected turn. Following the announcement of his retirement, he relocated to Marbella, Spain, with the aim of playing golf at a handicap as low as possible. When Marc-André ter Stegen went down with a long-term injury, it led to a call from Robert Lewandowski. This one call completely revitalized Szczesny’s career and turned him into one of the cornerstones of FC Barcelona. The entire squad is still preparing to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. Szczesny is out to chase his own glory while enjoying an unlikely new lease on life.
At the beginning of the season, Szczesny couldn’t have dreamed he’d be featuring in a historic Clásico. Today, he’s set to make his first on-field appearance in one of football’s marquee matches. Still, here he sits, with 25 appearances to his name, 13 clean sheets, and just 24 goals allowed. His performances have been impossible to ignore, just as his brash and honest personality has made him a captivating figure. Szczesny has garnered headlines not only for his skills but for his refreshingly honest discussions about his life on and off the pitch.
And even though he knows it’s not a healthy thing to do, Szczesny concedes that he can’t always find the right words to keep his thoughts to himself. “I’m going to have a hell of a time justifying my sense of humor,” he sheepishly conceded. Trust me, once I get going it will devolve into a full-up stand-up comedy routine! He’s keen to underscore just how little he takes himself seriously, a quality that has helped foster the team-first mentality and laidback vibes that permeate his collective.
Szczesny’s unconventional approach extends beyond humor. He attributes his unflappability to meditation. He was the first to establish this practice almost a decade ago now when he was on loan at AS Roma. This technique has helped him navigate the pressures of being a top goalkeeper in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues. He stated, “When you take risks and you play behind the high line, you’re gonna get it wrong. There’s no way of avoiding mistakes.”
His move this summer to Barcelona has already been framed as a high-risk, high-reward proposition. “This is a team that is completely different to every team in Europe right now,” Szczesny observed. The adjustment to their style of play has been both challenging and rewarding. “Very extreme in the way they play… Can I adapt? It’s a process,” he remarked about fitting into Barça’s unique system.
His unlikely football comeback story started one morning, as he played a round of golf in Marbella. Ter Stegen missed most of September after getting injured in a league match against Villarreal. This untimely defeat only created greater opportunity for him to return. He finally made his official debut against fourth-division Barbastro in the Copa after spending 14 matches sitting on the bench.
On his new form of communication with his teammates in jest, “I don’t think Pedri speaks English that well! Not at all, I don’t know why he says that! He shared his thoughts on their relationship on the field. His knack for connecting with the team as a whole has shone through in how dangerous the squad has been on the pitch this season.
Szczesny now stands on the precipice of winning his second-ever trophy with Barcelona. This follows their victory in the Spanish Supercopa earlier in January. He’s looking forward to the competition for the Copa del Rey trophy in Seville this Saturday. The ever dangerous rivals, Real Madrid will be the heavyweights he’ll be up against.
In an emotional resignation last year, he declared, “The body still feels ready for challenges. My heart is not there anymore.” But with this new chapter in his career, he’s found a new fire on the football field. “If I saw this Barcelona team from my sofa in Marbella, knowing that I could be a part of it, I wouldn’t forgive myself,” he admitted.
And with talk already starting about extending his current deal past this coming summer, Szczesny’s future looks very good at Barcelona. Sporting director Deco confirmed negotiations have taken place on Szczesny’s future with the club. They’re hoping to retain him well beyond the end of his current contract in two years.
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