Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is reportedly preparing to come out of retirement to support FC Barcelona, following the serious injury to their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German international is expected to miss the rest of the season after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee during a commanding 5-1 win over Villarreal.
Ter Stegen’s injury has left a significant gap in the squad, as he recently underwent surgery and faces a lengthy recovery period. Szczesny, formerly of Juventus, has emerged as the prime candidate to step in. According to media reports, the 33-year-old goalkeeper is expected to arrive in Barcelona shortly to undergo a medical before signing a short-term deal with the club.
Speaking to Sport, a Spanish outlet, Szczesny expressed his admiration for Barcelona and his willingness to return to the field.
“I have a lot of respect for Barca’s history, it is one of the best clubs in the world,” Szczesny stated on Thursday. “I understand the difficult situation that has arisen for them after Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s injury, and I think it would be disrespectful of me not to consider this option.”
Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has been evaluating his options after Ter Stegen’s setback. Inaki Pena, the 25-year-old reserve keeper, has been mentioned as a potential replacement. However, Flick stressed that the team needs more experience to see them through the rest of the season.
“Inaki is 25, but the other goalkeepers are very young,” Flick told reporters after Barca’s 1-0 victory over Getafe. “We need more experience, and that’s why we’re talking about it. We’ve talked about it and discussed it, and we’ll have to decide.”
Szczesny, who retired in August after leaving Juventus, could be the experienced hand Flick is looking for. The Polish shot-stopper has an impressive career record, with over 250 caps for his national team and having played a crucial role in helping Juventus secure three Serie A titles and three Italian Cups. His sudden departure from Juventus came as a surprise, as he still had one year left on his contract.
Barcelona currently sits atop La Liga, four points clear with a perfect 21 points from seven games. Their next match is against Osasuna on Saturday, where the need for a strong presence between the posts will be crucial. If Szczesny signs, his arrival could stabilize their defense and keep their title hopes alive amidst the challenges ahead.
