Former Juventus and Arsenal goalkeer Wojciech Szczesny has announced his surprise retirement from football at the age of 34, saying his “heart is not there anymore”.
Szczesny, who left the Italian club after seven years less than two weeks ago, added that he has decided to give “all of my attention” to his wife, Marina, and their two children.
We will never forget this double save 🧤
All the best in your retirement, Wojciech ❤️ pic.twitter.com/D2ltRkWcKb
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 27, 2024
“I left Warsaw, my home [city], in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football,” Szczesny reflected in a social media post informing fans of his decision.
“Little did I know it would be a 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.
“I didn’t just realise my dreams; I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me.”
Outstanding Goalkeeper 🧤
Exceptional Human Being 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/5C93RcLpdH— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) August 27, 2024
Szczesny retires via Instagram
The official accounts of the Fifa World Cup and Arsenal, Juventus forward Federico Chiesa and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois were among those to wish Szczesny well under his Instagram post.
“I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior,” said Szczesny.
“I’ve made friends for life, created unforgetable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life.
“But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses.
“Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore… a journey’s end is a time for reflection and gratitude.
“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.”
The former Brentford and Roma loanee offered particular thanks to football fans for “the support and criticism, love and hate, for being the most beautiful and romantic part of football”.
View this post on Instagram
Szczesny stats
After spending the first two years of his youth career with Agrykola Warsaw and Legia Warsaw, Szczesny spent the last three of them at Arsenal.
As a first-team player with the Gunners between 2009 and 2017, Szczesny won the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015 and the Premier League Golden Glove for the 2013-14 season.
He proceeded to win Serie A four times and the Coppa Italia three times with Juve, as well as the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award for 2019-20 and a place in the Italian top-flight team of the season for 2022-23.
Szczesny’s 84 appearances for Poland make him his country’s most-capped goalkeeper, representing the nation at every major tournament between 2012 and 2024, with the exception of the Fifa 2014 World Cup, for which they did not qualify.
His two penalty stops during the 2022 World Cup included one from the winning captain, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and he saved Dan James’ spot-kick in a Uefa Euro 2024 play-off shootout to send Poland to the finals at the expense of Wales.
