‘My heart is not there’: Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny retires from football
The Poland and former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, weeks after leaving Juventus by mutual agreement.
Szczesny spent seven seasons at Juve and had one year left on his contract. The 34-year-old had been linked with a move to Monza and the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
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Szczesny joined Arsenal’s academy from Legia Warsaw and played 181 times for the club, including in their 2015 FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa, before signing for Juventus, where he won Serie A and the Coppa Italia three times each. He also had spells at Brentford and Roma and played 84 times for Poland, including their first two games at Euro 2024.
“I left Warsaw, my hometown, in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football,” Szczesny posted on Instagram. “Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime.”
He added in a lengthy message: “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 … But I also gave the game all I had.”
“I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, although my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family.”
Claudio Bravo has also announced his retirement from playing at the age of 41. The Chilean goalkeeper won two Copa Américas for his country and played for Colo-Colo, Real Sociedad, Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Betis.
“I am leaving professional football. I believe I have made the right decision, one that has been thoroughly discussed with my family,” Bravo, who won the Champions League with Barça in 2015, posted on social media.
“I think it’s time to close a very important chapter in my life and to start a new one, which will hopefully be as successful as [my playing career], which has given me great satisfaction in every way.”
