Szczesny’s Secret Smoke Deal with Flick: Locker Room Revelations and a Coach’s Quiet Nod

Szczesny opens up on smoking and personal freedom

Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, currently with Barcelona, shares new facets of his personal life and his approach to football off the field in a candid interview with GQ Poland. He presents a laid‑back personality and a philosophy that emphasizes freedom and happiness beyond what happens in the stadium.

He had already surprised fans by admitting he smokes, but explains that his current coach, Hans Flick, gave his blessing to continue the habit. Szczesny recounts a sauna conversation with Flick in which the coach emphasized that what matters most is what he delivers on the pitch, joking that he could even smoke during title celebrations if performance remains top‑notch.

The interview also revisits his time at Arsenal, where the habit once contributed to disciplinary action. Szczesny notes that his relationship with smoking has evolved, and attributes some of that evolution to his coaches’ attitudes and his own growth as a player.

“We sat in the sauna not long ago and I asked for his opinion,” Szczesny says. “He replied that the important thing is the football we produce, and told me: as long as you are a true professional, you could even smoke during celebrations after winning the title.”

He adds that his experience with smoking during his Arsenal days was markedly different, and eventually led to a move away from the club. Szczesny remembers a moment when a bad performance was followed by a smoking episode in a bathroom, which the coach saw, resulting in a fine and a temporary exclusion from the starting lineup before a loan move to Roma.

Regarding Arsenal’s dressing room policies, Szczesny recalls that smoking there was forbidden. He says Wenger knew he smoked after games and, perhaps theatrically, pretended to be unaware, joking that after one poor performance he was pulled out of the squad. He concedes that such moments helped shape his understanding of accountability and recovery.

Reflecting on his time at Barcelona, Szczesny describes the club as a source of pure joy for him as a footballer. He contrasts this with Juventus, where daily life felt heavy with the pressure to win, explaining how he learned to become a regular starter at a club of that level—an achievement he considers deeply rewarding.

He also shares the personal side of his moves, noting that he had initially planned a two‑ to three‑year stint before making way for a younger player, but contract renewals kept him in place longer. The extension allowed him to accumulate experience and become a veteran presence, even as his wife Marina grew hesitant about relocating. The couple eventually moved to Turin, following an evolving family dynamic and professional ambitions.

The GQ Poland feature underscores Szczesny’s belief that football should be enjoyed, and he emphasizes that genuine joy in the sport is part of what fuels his success. It also touches on the complexities of balancing personal habits with the demands of elite sport and the responsibilities that come with leadership on and off the pitch.

In sum, Szczesny’s story is one of professional longevity, self‑awareness, and a willingness to challenge conventional norms—paired with a sense of humor about the quirks that accompany life at the highest level.

Punchline time: 1) If you think smoking is a distraction for a goalkeeper, think again—the smoke usually clears the lens just in time for a world‑class save. 2) The only thing brighter than his saves might be the sauna light when Flick gives the nod.