Szczesny's tough confession that conditions his day-to-day at Barça

Wojciech Szczesny, one of the most experienced footballers at FC Barcelona, has shared a confession that is as surprising as it is worrying. In an extensive interview granted to the Polish edition of GQ magazine, the goalkeeper revealed that he still suffers from severe after-effects of an accident that occurred 17 years ago, when he fractured both forearms during a gym session. That episode profoundly marked his career and, according to his account, continues to affect his daily routine.

The Barça goalkeeper explained that he has two iron plates embedded in his arms which, although they allowed him to compete again, cause him episodes of such intense pain that he sometimes loses all feeling during training sessions. A problem that, he admits, almost led to his early retirement

Szczesny's Shocking Revelation About His Chronic Pain

Szczesny starkly recalled the moment that changed his career. While completing strength work in the gym, he suffered a fall that resulted in a double fracture of his forearms. The surgery was long and the recovery even more complicated. “I have two metal plates inside me that will always be with me,” he explained. “There are days when the pain returns unbearably.”

As he details, the toughest episodes appear during periods of high physical load, especially in preseason, when the accumulation of double sessions and matches prevents him from truly resting. "During the season the body finds a routine, but in summer it's different. The pain arrives without warning," he commented.

"There comes a point in training when I can't even pick up a bottle of water"

The goalkeeper recounts that, at times, his forearm "shuts down," as if it stopped responding to effort: "There's a moment when I completely lose sensation in my hands. I can't even hold a water bottle. Then the coaches joke that the session is over because I've been paralyzed again."He also acknowledges that he suffers especially in explosive actions, such as stopping a shot at close range. "I wouldn't wish it on anyone. When the ball comes hard, the impact on the metal is terrible," he assures.

The Human Side: Szczesny's Internal Struggle Not to Retire

In a particularly emotional part of the interview, Szczesny confesses that there were moments when he felt he couldn't go on anymore. "I kept telling myself: 'I'm sick of this suffering.' I was close to quitting because I didn't know if it was worth continuing to play with this pain."

Despite this, his competitive mindset and professional commitment pushed him to continue. "Football has given me too much to give up like this. I've had to learn to live with my limitations and listen to my body."

A dressing room that supports: jokes, camaraderie, and respect

The goalkeeper also addressed with humor one of the viral headlines from the interview: his famous "body fat record" at Barça. Laughing, he explained that he has always maintained the necessary physical limits, although he admits that his build has made him the subject of some teasing from teammates.

“Once, Lewandowski, during a Poland training camp, was laughing at me, in his underwear, saying, **‘How is it possible that Szczesny has had this career with that body?’**” he recalled. An anecdote that became a lesson when coach Czeslaw Michniewicz intervened: “Look, Lewy, being a goalkeeper is like playing chess. You play with your hands, but you actually play with your head.”

The Blaugrana player states that he has never stood out for his physique, but rather for his ability to maintain stable performance over "18 years of professionalism and discipline".

Szczesny: The veteran who accompanies the new Barça generation

In an increasingly young Barça dressing room, Szczesny—35 years old—has become a reference figure for academy players and recent signings. During the interview, he revealed a particularly emotional moment he shared with Gerard Martín after the European semi-final at the Giuseppe Meazza.

“I saw him crying and I asked him, ‘Why are you crying?’. He told me he had lost the semifinal. Then I asked him where he was two years ago. ‘In the reserves,’ he replied. I told him: ‘Well, look where you are now: in a Champions League semifinal. You haven’t lost anything. You’ve come a long way.’”

For Szczesny, these moments reinforce his role as a veteran: "It's important that the young players understand that defeats don't define their future. The road is long, and they are just starting to write it."Despite the physical difficulties, the goalkeeper states he feels fulfilled at Barça, where he has found sporting stability and an environment that has understood his medical particularities. "The club has helped me a lot. Here I can train by adapting day-to-day, without that affecting the demands this crest requires," he explainsIn sports, Szczesny continues to bring leadership and experience to a squad that combines youth, ambition, and talent. His role has been particularly valued in high-stakes competitions, thanks to his ability to manage pressure situations

The Unknown Side of Football Stars

Szczesny's interview reveals the less visible side of elite football: the daily struggle against pain, internal doubts, and the determination to keep competing.

The Barça goalkeeper lives with after-effects that will not disappear, but which have not been enough to halt a career marked by resilience and commitment. His story reminds us that, behind every figure at the Camp Nou, there are also personal battles that are not always visible from the stands.