Latest news with #Szczesny
Metro
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Szczesny names surprise 'genius' as most impressive player he's ever seen
Over his career with the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and now Barcelona, Wojciech Szczesny has played with some legendary names but thinks one of his current teammates is the most impressive player he has ever seen. The 35-year-old won two FA Cups with the Gunners, three Serie A and three Coppa Italia titles with Juve and has now added a La Liga and Copa del Rey to his CV with Barca. He's played alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Mesut Ozil, Robin van Persie, Mo Salah and Francesco Totti on loan at Roma and Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal at Barcelona. The goalkeeper will think highly of many of his teammates but one stands out above the rest. Szczesny has been blown away by the talent of Pedri, saying he has never seen a player have a season like the 22-year-old has just produced. The midfielder made 59 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and the Pole says he has never been more impressed by a player. 'What Pedri did this season… I've never seen a season like that from any player,' Szczesny told Foot Truck. 'Watching him live, seeing how he controls the game both defensively and offensively… Incredible. 'He's the player who's impressed me the most in my entire life. I don't know what makes up his genius, but he doesn't lose the ball.' The Barcelona goalkeeper reckons Pedri deserves to win the Ballon d'Or as a result of his immense season, adding: 'For me, he was the best in the world.' Szczesny is not the only Barcelona star to recognise the brilliance of Pedri, with Raphinha describing him as the 'heart of the team' earlier this season. 'Pedri doesn't have many assists, he doesn't have a lot of goals… but for me, he's the most important player on our team,' said the Brazilian. 'I think he is the heart of the team.' More Trending Was this sport's greatest comeback? Manager Hansi Flick agreed, saying: 'Raphinha said Pedri is the heart of the team? Yes, exactly. Pedri is fantastic. When he touches the ball, you see real magic. He's getting better, constantly developing himself.' Former Barcelona chief Ramon Planes told Carrusel Deportivo of Pedri: 'From the moment he joined Barca… already in the second training session, Messi himself said, 'Where did we get this kid?' 'There was no doubt that he had to stay. In the first week, I told his agent to forget about going out on loan, that he was definitely going to stay in the Barca first team.' Pedri has attracted praise from outside of his club as well, with former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos describing him as the best in the world in his position. Speaking via Mundo Deportivo, the German said: 'Pedri is generally a player who is greatly missed when he's not on the pitch. He doesn't just score goals or provide assists; he offers solutions. Beating opponents doesn't always have to be with a pass, but Pedri is one of the few midfielders who has the gift of dribbling past opponents in tight spaces. 'He's almost more important than Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, or Lewandowski. They are the ones who decide the outcome of matches, but to make that happen, Pedri is currently the best player in the world in his position, in my opinion.' MORE: Troy Deeney tips 'exceptional' Chelsea star for Barcelona or Real Madrid transfer MORE: Why Chelsea have been fined £78.5m by UEFA for breaching financial rules MORE: Barcelona's stance on signing Marcus Rashford after Nico Williams transfer snub
Business Upturn
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Official: Szczesny signs new deal at Barca until June 2027
Wojciech Szczesny has officially signed a new deal at Barcelona which means the goalkeeper will stay at the club for two more years. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on July 8, 2025, 08:38 IST Wojciech Szczesny has officially signed a new deal at Barcelona which means the goalkeeper will stay at the club for two more years. The deal is said to be ended in June 2027. The goalkeeper was signed as a replace for Ter Stegen when he got injured for long time, but Szczesny's performance has earned him this place and this deal at the club. Barcelona have officially announced that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2027. The Polish international initially joined the Catalan giants as a short-term solution following Marc-André ter Stegen's long-term injury, but his impressive performances have now earned him a longer stay at the Camp Nou. Szczesny quickly established himself as a reliable presence between the posts, delivering consistent and commanding displays. His experience, leadership, and shot-stopping ability have played a crucial role in stabilizing Barcelona's backline during a challenging period. The new two-year extension is seen as a reward for his contributions and a sign of trust from the club's management. With Ter Stegen nearing a return, it remains to be seen how the goalkeeping duties will be shared, but Szczesny's presence ensures strong competition and depth in the position. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Barca's Szczesny renews contract, leaving Ter Stegen's future in doubt
BARCELONA, (Spain): Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has renewed his contract until 2027, the La Liga champions said yesterday (July 7). "The Polish goalkeeper staying is recognition and a prize for his great season between the sticks for Barca, after an unexpected arrival in a strange context," wrote the Catalan club in a statement. Szczesny had retired from football when Barcelona signed him in October to replace injured stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was ruled out for most of the season with a ruptured patella tendon. The 35-year-old impressed as Barcelona won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, with Ter Stegen only returning to the squad in the final weeks of the season. Szczesny's decision to stay and Barca signing goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol earlier in the summer casts doubt over Ter Stegen's future at the club. The German international, 33, commands a high salary at Barcelona and Spanish media report the financially-struggling club would like to make savings in that regard. Barca signed Garcia from Espanyol for 26.34 million euros ($31 million) on a six-year deal in June, and also still have another goalkeeper in Inaki Pena on the books. — AFP
Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Szczesny agrees to two-year contract extension at Barcelona
PA Media/dpa London Wojciech Szczesny has agreed a two-year contract extension with Barcelona which will keep him at the Camp Nou until 2027. The former Arsenal goalkeeper has impressed since he came out of retirement to stand in for the injured Marc ter Stegen at the start of last season. In 30 appearances, the 35-year-old kept 14 clean sheets and was never on the losing side in La Liga as champions Barça finished four points clear of rivals Real Madrid. On Szczesny's response to ending his retirement in style, Barcelona said on their website on Monday: 'The Pole responded by showing he is still one of the best goalkeepers in European football. 'The Polish player's experience and maturity was a great help for coach Hansi Flick in a young and inexperienced Barca squad.' With the domestic treble at Barca last season, Szczesny has now claimed 14 trophies during his career - with more than 500 appearances.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona veteran will extend his contract before pre-season
Barcelona fans can breathe easy, as according to SPORT, Wojciech Szczesny is expected to sign his contract extension before pre-season training kicks off on July 13. It is said that the goalkeeper will arrive in Barcelona next week to put pen to paper on a new deal, which includes a fixed year and an optional extra year. Advertisement The agreement was already in place before Szczesny went on holiday, and both sides are now ready to finalise everything. The reason for the delay was not down to disagreements but simply a matter of timing, as Szczesny has been enjoying a well-earned break away from Barcelona. Despite being on holiday, the experienced goalkeeper has stayed in touch with the club and is fully aware of the plans Hansi Flick has for him next season. Barça have made it clear that Szczesny will be the team's second-choice goalkeeper, with Joan Garcia seen as the future number one. To be used as a backup Wojciech Szczesny is set to extend his stay. (Photo by) Advertisement Barcelona's plan is for Szczesny to get minutes in competitions like the Copa del Rey, giving him the chance to prove himself in matches that matter. However, his role could grow depending on how he performs during pre-season. The staff is confident in his quality and experience, and they know he'll be an important figure in the dressing room. The club has no doubts about the agreement being completed soon. Everything has been settled, and the official signing is expected before Szczesny returns to training under Flick on July 13. The Polish goalkeeper originally retired from professional football but came back after receiving a call from Barcelona, who urgently needed a reliable replacement when Marc-Andre ter Stegen was sidelined last season. Advertisement Szczesny seized the opportunity, playing 30 matches during the 2024/25 season and proving he still has plenty to offer. His performances convinced the club to offer him a new deal, and although he briefly considered retiring again, he ultimately chose to extend his career at Camp Nou.
