Wojciech Szczesny has opened up about his unexpected departure from Juventus and subsequent retirement from professional football. In a revealing interview, the Polish goalkeeper shared insights into his final months at the club and the events that led to his decision to hang up his gloves.
Unexpected Turn of Events
Szczesny expressed his surprise at finding himself out of Juventus’ plans for the upcoming season. “I didn’t expect to find myself outside of the project. I would never have imagined it,” he stated. The goalkeeper had been a key figure for the Bianconeri for seven seasons, describing his time at the club as “a personal challenge that wasn’t simple” but ultimately a “beautiful sensation” when things went well.
Pre-existing Retirement Plans
Interestingly, Szczesny revealed that he had already made the decision to retire at the end of the 2024/25 season. He recounted a conversation with Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, at the beginning of the previous season: “We sat in a room for three minutes. I told him that at the end of the 24/25 season, I would retire.”
Transfer Rumors and Confusion
Despite his predetermined retirement plans, Szczesny began to notice transfer rumors in the media. “I started reading news in the newspapers about negotiations between the club and Di Gregorio,” he said, referring to Michele Di Gregorio, the goalkeeper from Monza. While Szczesny respected Di Gregorio’s abilities, he initially thought the younger keeper might be brought in as a backup. “I could imagine a scenario where Perin wanted to leave and he [Di Gregorio] was the second choice. After the end of last season, I was convinced I would stay.”
Acceptance and Respect
When the deal for Di Gregorio was finalized, Szczesny and the club discussed terminating his contract. “It was a choice by the club. I don’t agree with it, but I accept it,” he stated. Despite his disagreement, Szczesny maintained his respect for the club and Giuntoli. “Even though I don’t agree with the club’s choice, I have no resentment towards Giuntoli. I respect the club, and they were also respectful towards me during the summer.”
Unfulfilled Desire to Continue
Szczesny expressed his desire to have played one more year for Juventus, feeling he still had much to offer. “I would have liked to help the team this year too, but this didn’t depend on me,” he said. However, he also admitted that after Juventus, he wasn’t ready for other challenges.
Continued Support
Despite the unexpected end to his Juventus career, Szczesny’s affection for the club remains strong. “I will remain a Juventus fan,” he declared, closing the chapter on his professional career but maintaining his connection to the team he served for seven years.
