In brief
After coming out of retirement last year, Szczesny has performed admirably at Barcelona, keeping nine clean sheets in 17 games.
After fans praised Szczesny as “rock” and a “good luck charm,” there were suspicions that his contract will be extended.
Barcelona’s dominance this season is cemented by the Polish goalkeeper’s impressive Champions League saves.
Since making his Barcelona debut in January of this year, Polish goalie Wojciech Szczesny has shown himself to be a dependable performer. He’s so close to signing a contract extension that some journalists in his own country say there’s a “99% chance” the agreement will be completed.
Although some people aren’t surprised by his octopus-like performances—he won a Premier League Golden Glove while playing for Arsenal more than ten years ago—the 34-year-old first told himself he was past his prime and put his gloves away after finishing out his contract with Juventus at the end of the 2023–2024 season.
However, Barcelona recognised the benefit of bringing Szczesny to Catalonia as an emergency free agent after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury, just over a month after he announced his retirement. It would be an understatement to suggest that the Poland international has demonstrated that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level for a few more years.
3.
The Performance of Wojciech Szczesny for Barcelona
He’s putting up a strong argument to take the top spot.
It would be easy to credit players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski with this season’s success, even though Barcelona is currently leading La Liga and is one of the favourites to win the Champions League. These players will undoubtedly be in and around the Ballon d’Or discussions come October.
But Szczesny is one player who has slipped under the radar. The former Arsenal and Juventus mainstay has made 17 appearances in all competitions since joining the Costa Brava, and he has kept nine clean sheets while going undefeated. View his complete stats below:
When I get older, I want to be like Szczęsny#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/4cNQuWfzRo
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 27, 2025
During the opening leg of Barcelona’s Champions League Round of 16 matchup with Benfica, Szczesny gave one of his best performances while wearing a Barcelona shirt. The side had to play with 10 men for the majority of the game after defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute.
Szczesny made eight vital stops to maintain a clean sheet and win a hard-fought 1-0 victory in spite of the numerical disadvantage. He deservedly won Man of the Match for his valiant efforts. View his highlights below:
Oblak Vs Bayern Leverkusen pic.twitter.com/gzW1oj1vQ9
— J☔ (@Shadygize) March 6, 2025
Barcelona Supporters Cast Their Verdict on Szczesny
They have been full of praise for the reliable Pole
Szczesny should certainly look at the adoration he’s been receiving on social media if he needed any more proof that he’s talented enough to play at an elite level. Since Szczesny started playing goal for our first squad, we haven’t lost a match. Among the outpouring of praise for the Poland legend, one X user remarked, “He truly is our good luck charm.” In the meantime, another added:
“They should tell Ter Stegen not to force his return, we have the best in-form custodian now.”
❗️The entire stadium is chanting “Szczesny, Szczesny, Szczesny…” 🤩👏 pic.twitter.com/5H9tthqDpe
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 27, 2025
A third compliment went on: “Szczesny has been a pillar of support for Barca ever since he made his debut! Nine clean sheets and 17 games without a loss are impressive numbers. He is proving to be an excellent acquisition. Another X user said elsewhere:
“Ter Stegen is never benching him,” and a fifth put it admirably: “Days of clean sheets! The man is a wall.
This season, Szczesny has been a Lazarus-like hero. While it is unclear where he will stand in the team’s goalkeeping hierarchy once all glove-bearers are healthy, the announcement of an upcoming contract extension shows how much the 34-year-old has grown to be respected at Barcelona.
