November 21, 2024
Wojciech Szczesny has decided to retire from professional football at 34 years of age, after a fulfilling 18-year career.
Szczesny won 11 major trophies during his career in England and Italy, also earning 84 caps for Poland, while playing a total of 632 games, keeping 244 clean sheets, and conceding 642 goals.
The Polishman played for Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus before calling it a quit, after a failed move to Al-Nassr.
After spending six years at Juventus, he decided to quit football claiming his heart was no longer in the game.
“I gave 18 years of my life to the game, every day, without excuses. Today my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is no longer there”, Szczęsny wrote on his Instagram.
“I feel that right now the time has come to dedicate all my attention to my family – my fantastic wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia. Therefore I have decided to retire from professional football,” he concluded.
Szczęsny reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for the game and its impact on his life.
“I left Warsaw, my hometown, in June 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football. Little did I know it would be the start of a journey of a lifetime. Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times. Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life,” Szczęsny wrote.
Szczęsny joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old and rose quickly through the ranks to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Making his senior debut in 2009, he made 181 appearances for the Gunners and won two FA Cups.
However, following a fallout with Arsene Wenger in 2015, Szczesny was dropped for the remainder of the season.
He was eventually loaned out to AS Roma for two seasons, before being sold to Juventus in 2017.
The former Arsenal man also reflected on the highs and lows of his career in the statement.
He said, “I didn’t just realise my dreams; I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me. I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior. I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories, and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football.”
Szczęsny thrived in Italy during his time at Juventus, winning eight trophies, including three Serie A titles.
His impressive performances at club level, made him a key part of the Polish national team, earning 84 caps.
In his farewell, Szczęsny also expressed his deep appreciation for the fans who supported him throughout his career.
“To you, the fans, I owe a special thank you for being on this journey with me. For the support and criticism, for the love and hate, for being the most beautiful and romantic part of football. Without you, none of this would make any sense!”, he said.
Szczęsny ended his heartfelt statement with an optimistic outlook on his future: “Now, every story has an end, but in life every ending is a new beginning. What this new path will bring for me only time will tell. But if the last 18 years have taught me anything, it is that nothing is impossible and believe me, I’m going to dream BIG!”
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