Confessions and Comebacks: Szczęsny’s Surprising Barcelona Chapter

Szczesny's candid revelations with GQ

Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny sits down with GQ for one of his boldest, most candid interviews yet, revealing hidden chapters of his career that most players only confess long after hanging up their boots.

He admits that his first retirement decision was driven by mental strain and chronic pain that haunted him since his famous 2008 injury when he was a young Arsenal keeper.

During a power session, weights toppled onto him, breaking both arms—a setback that left marks to this day, even after metal plates were put in.

In context, he recalls, training made him lose all feeling in his hands; he could not even lift a bottle of water, though it strangely never happened during matches.

His unexpected return to the pitch with Barcelona came as he was preparing to retire, and he revealed that he joined the Catalan club for free, with Barça covering Juventus’s compensation.

Then he adds that he loves food; despite his current weight discipline, he jokes that he may have broken the club’s fat-record at Barcelona.

He also recounts a tense relationship with his father, former keeper Maje Szczesny, saying he feared him, not for pain but for deliberate humiliation in front of others.

Since joining Barcelona, Szczesny has appeared in 39 matches across competitions, conceded 53 goals, kept 14 clean sheets, and played 3,536 minutes.

He helped secure the domestic treble last season—the league, the domestic super cup, and the King's Cup—emphasizing that he remains an influential goalkeeper who can still make a difference.

Punchline style aside, here are two light quips to close the piece: If goalkeeping is art, Szczęsny paints with saves and a well-stocked fridge. And remember: he might guard the net, but he also guards the snacks—don’t test his inventory.