After initially announcing his retirement in August, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has had a change of heart and is set to join Barcelona on a short-term deal. The 34-year-old believes it would be disrespectful to not help the Spanish club in their time of need after goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a serious injury. This surprising move comes as Sky Sports commentator claims Chelsea's £54 million player may already regret joining the club and that David Beckham was "emotional" about firing his close friend of 31 years.
Wojciech Szczesny Returns to Barcelona on Short-Term Deal
After initially announcing his retirement in August, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has made a U-turn and is set to join Barcelona on a short-term deal. The 34-year-old has a wealth of experience, having spent the past season with Juventus and previously playing for Arsenal and Roma.
Szczesny's decision to come out of retirement was prompted by Barcelona's injury crisis in goal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the club's first-choice goalkeeper, suffered a serious knee injury in training, leaving Barcelona with only inexperienced backup Inaki Pena.
Speaking to the media, Szczesny said, "I didn't feel right just sitting at home and watching Barcelona struggle. I know I'm not the youngest anymore, but I still have something to offer. It's a privilege to be able to help such a great club."
Background
Szczesny began his career with Polonia Warsaw before joining Arsenal in 2006. He spent 11 years with the Gunners, making over 200 appearances. During his time at Arsenal, he won two FA Cups and was named the club's Player of the Year in 2013/14.
After leaving Arsenal, Szczesny joined Roma on loan for the 2015/16 season. He then moved to Juventus on a permanent deal in 2017. With Juventus, he won three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia titles.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Wojciech Szczesny retire in the first place?
Szczesny announced his retirement in August 2023, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and focus on his business interests.
2. How long is Szczesny's contract with Barcelona?
The length of Szczesny's contract with Barcelona has not been disclosed, but it is believed to be a short-term deal until the end of the season.
3. What is Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury status?
Ter Stegen is expected to miss several months of action due to a knee injury. The extent of his injury is still being assessed.
4. How many caps does Szczesny have for Poland?
Szczesny has made 65 appearances for the Polish national team. He was the team's captain at the 2018 World Cup.
5. What are Szczesny's strengths and weaknesses as a goalkeeper?
Szczesny is known for his excellent shot-stopping abilities, reflexes, and distribution. However, he has also been criticized for his occasional lack of concentration and tendency to make mistakes.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso praised forward Gonzalo García for his performance in their 3-2 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinal of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup tournament. García, who has four goals in five matches, tied for the top scorer spot with Ángel Di María, Marcos Leonardo, and Serhou Guirassy. Now, with the other three eliminated, García has a chance to definitively hold the title of the tournament's Golden Boot winner.
England's defence of their European Championship title got off to a rough start with a 2-1 defeat to France in their opening match. Despite talk of a "new England" under coach Sarina Wiegman, the team struggled to find momentum and were punished for their lethargy. With a must-win game against the Netherlands looming, the Lionesses will need to shake off their slow start and live up to their predecessors' success.
In a thrilling match, PSG beat Bayern Munich to secure their spot in the semifinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The game was tightly contested in the first half, but things took a turn when Bayern's Jamal Musiala collided with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite the tension, PSG managed to score two goals in the second half, securing their win and advancing to the next round. However, there was controversy as one Bayern player criticized Donnarumma for the collision after the game.
In a thrilling Club World Cup quarterfinal match, Real Madrid claimed a 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund thanks to a late goal from Kylian Mbappe. The French forward, who is coming back from a bout of gastroenteritis, scored a stunning bicycle kick in the final minutes to secure the win for Madrid. The match was full of drama, with a missed penalty, a red card, and a last-minute save from Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Madrid will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
With the summer transfer window in full swing, Manchester United is making moves to strengthen their team. They have recently announced the signing of Diego Leon and are now locked in battle for Moise Keane with Napoli and Al-Qadsiah. Additionally, the team is looking to bring in Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and are increasing their pursuit of Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. However, the Bees have warned that Mbeumo will not be leaving unless United meets their valuation. Stay up to date with all of the latest updates on Old Trafford's moves in the Club World Cup on DAZN.
Real Madrid's superstar forward Kylian Mbappe may not be able to play in the team's quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund. Mbappe has been dealing with gastroenteritis, an infection in the gut, and coach Xabi Alonso says a decision will be made tomorrow on his availability for the game. In the meantime, 21-year-old academy product Gonzalo Garcia has stepped up in Mbappe's absence, delivering impressive performances in the tournament.
In a tense match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern's Musiala suffered a serious injury after a collision with PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma. Despite a valiant effort from Bayern, goals from Doue and Dembele secured PSG's spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals. The match was also marred by multiple incidents, including two red cards for PSG players.
In an interview after Real Madrid's victory against Pachuca at the Club World Cup, defender Fran García expressed his relief and confidence in the team's progress. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives and continuing to work hard towards their goals. Viewers can watch highlights from the match on RM Play.
In a thrilling Group D match at Euro 2025 in Zurich, Sandy Baltimore scored her second goal to give France a commanding 2-0 lead against England. The English team was left rattled as Baltimore's brilliant strike left them with an uphill battle. Despite a valiant effort from England, France ultimately secured the victory. As the tournament continues, BBC Sport will provide extensive coverage, so make sure to follow along for all the action.
Bayern Munich faced a devastating loss in the Club World Cup, but the biggest talking point came when their star, Jamal Musiala, suffered a horrific injury due to a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite a late red card for PSG, Luis Enrique's side secured a spot in the semi-finals of the competition. Musiala is believed to have sustained a fractured tibia and fibula as a result of the incident.