The new Barça goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, has opened up about his departure from Juventus and has admitted that it was not his plan to retire in the summer.
Szczesny had enjoyed a wonderful seven-season spell in Turin with the Italian giants, making 252 appearances in all competitions after replacing the legendary Gianluigi Buffon as the club’s number one goalkeeper. During his Juve career, the goalkeeper won three Scudetti and one Serie A goalkeeper of the year.
The 34-year-old then surprisingly announced his retirement in the summer, agreeing to terminate his contract at Juventus.
Speaking in an interview with YouTuber Luca Toselli, the former Polish international has shed light on his retirement, revealing that it was not a decision he wanted to make:
“I wanted to keep helping the team (Juventus) this season, so what happened was up to me. I didn’t expect to be left out of the project, I never would have imagined,” revealed Szczesny.
“At the beginning of last season I spoke frankly with sporting director Giuntoli when we had to discuss my renewal. I told him that at the end of the 2024/25 season I would have retired, but then I read the news about Di Gregorio in the newspapers.
“I thought he would have been second choice (this season) because Matia Perin wanted to go to another club.
“When they signed him (Di Gregorio), though, we talked about terminating my contract. It was a club decision and I didn’t agree with it, but I accepted it.
“I wanted one more year at Juve. I felt I could still give a lot. I have no hard feelings towards Giuntoli, I still respect the club and I will remain a Juve supporter.”
The goalkeeper has since returned to professional football, signing a contract with Barcelona as an emergency replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will miss the rest of the 2024/25 season with an ACL injury.
Speaking to his new club’s press after his game, the goalkeeper said it was his “last chance” to play at the highest level:
“In life, I try not to believe in fate. If Ter Stegen’s injury had happened when the transfer market was open, I wouldn’t have come here. If it had been two weeks later, I wouldn’t have come here either because it would have been too late, and I wouldn’t have gotten off the sofa.
“This was my last chance to prepare to play at a high level. I think it must have been written in the stars somewhere.”
Szczesny could do his thing Barça debuts this weekend during the La Liga clash with Deportivo Alavés.
