Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34, marking the end of an illustrious 18-year career. The former Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus player made the surprise decision after his contract with Juventus expired earlier this month.In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Szczesny reflected on his journey, saying, ‘I left Warsaw, my hometown, in June 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream: to live from football. I didn’t know that this would be the beginning of a lifelong journey’. He added, ‘I’ve given 18 years of my life to the game, every day, without excuses. Today, my body feels ready for challenges, but my heart is no longer there’.Throughout his career, Szczesny achieved significant success, winning multiple titles including three Serie A championships and three Coppa Italia with Juventus. He also represented Poland 84 times in international matches. Szczesny expressed pride in his accomplishments, stating, ‘I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me’.The goalkeeper’s decision to retire comes as he plans to focus on his family, including his wife Marina and their two children, Liam and Noelia. Szczesny thanked fans for their support, saying, ‘Without you, none of this would make sense!’.As he steps away from professional football, Szczesny remains optimistic about the future, concluding his statement with, ‘Every story has an end, but in life, every finale is a new beginning. Only time will tell what this new path will bring, but if the last 18 years have taught me anything, it is that nothing is impossible, and I will dream big!’
Key points
- Wojciech Szczesny, 34, has announced his retirement from professional football after an 18-year career.
- Szczesny played for top clubs including Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus, winning multiple titles.
- He represented Poland 84 times in international matches.
- Szczesny cited his heart no longer being in the game as the reason for retirement, despite feeling physically capable.
- He plans to focus on his family and is optimistic about future endeavors.
