Szczesny opens up on coming out of retirement – ‘You can’t say no to Barcelona’

Following the season-ending knee injury to captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen, FC Barcelona acted swiftly to rope in an emergency replacement in the form of Wojciech Szczesny.

The 34-year-old Poland star had announced his retirement a couple of months ago, but as soon as Barça came calling, the goalkeeper decided to make a U-turn and return to professional football.

Now, having signed a contract with Barça until the end of the season, Szczesny, in an exclusive chat with SPORT, explained the reasons that led him to want to retire and those that prompted a change of decision following Barcelona’s call.

Szczesny had no reservations in admitting that he did not miss football during the two months he was retired. However, the ex-Arsenal man was clear that there are trains you can’t say no to.

“If you had told me a month ago that I would play for Barça, I would have laughed non-stop. I would have even laughed the day before Marc-André’s injury. I couldn’t imagine saying ‘yes’ to any challenge at that moment,” he remarked.

“But when the phone rings and it becomes reality, when it’s right there and it only depends on you, on your decision… You can think, imagine, plan… but it’s there. And you ask yourself: ‘Can I say ‘no’ to Barça?’ And the answer is that you can’t say ‘no’.”

Continuing Szczesny added that he believes he is still at a level where he can make valuable contributions for the Blaugrana.

“If you say ‘no’ to Barça, it means you don’t have the guts or you’re not brave enough for a challenge like this. You don’t have the courage for it. I think I still find that passion in me and I’m at a level where I can help, and that’s why I accepted,” he said.

Szczesny emphasized that after having played for top European clubs, he would not have put the gloves back on for any other club. And after having left Juventus like a gentleman, just a few months later, he was offered a golden opportunity.

“I was content with my retirement, but being content isn’t enough in life. That’s good and comfortable, but when you feel the challenge, when you feel that you want to push yourself to do something extraordinary, something that people will remember, motivation wins,” he stated.

Szczesny is hard at work at Ciutat Esportiva and there is a possibility that the Pole could make his Barcelona debut against Sevilla, with his registration in La Liga already taken care of.