Robert Lewandowski has been unstoppable so far this season in Barcelona. He’s scored seven La Liga goals for Hansi Flick’s side, tying him with Raphina and Kylian Mbappe as the league’s top scorers. But Lewandowski is also playing the team’s chief recruiter.
Sky Germany reports that Lewandowski played a vital role in recruiting compatriot Wojciech Szczesny back to the pitch. The 34-year-old Polish goalkeeper announced his retirement a month ago, but Barcelona is throwing him a lifeline.
“Yes, I’m now in talks and considering Barca move,” former Juventus goalie Szczesny told Diario Sport. “It’d be disrespectful if I didn’t consider this option for my career. Barca is one of the best clubs in the world.”
Szczesny, the only goalkeeper to save a Messi penalty at the 2022 World Cup, will replace the injured Marc-André ter Stegen until the end of the season. Ter Stegen ruptured his patella tendon in his right knee in the 5-1 win against Villareal last Sunday, requiring surgery and at least three months of recovery.
Some people, like former goalkeeper Dudek, are calling it an upgrade. “Ter Stegen is worse than Szczesny,” he said.
In 2017, the legendary goalie Gianluigi Buffon once called Szczesny a “younger and better goalkeeper” than himself. The Pole became the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year during the 2019–20 season and made the Serie A Team of the Season for 2022-03. He won the Coppa Italia last season.
Now, the former free-agent goalie is house-shopping in Castelldefels, Barcelona, hoping to live near his friend Lewandowski. He is one month retired and the next month suiting up for the Blaugrana.
“If they sign me to be a substitute, then I’d rather not sign,” said Szczesny, pronounced ‘Shesny‘ could be playing in El Clasico in October.
