
Wojciech Szczesny (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny reflects on his red card in El Clasico, emphasizing that bold decisions have shaped his remarkable career.
Wojciech Szczesny made headlines after being sent off during El Clasico in the Spanish Super Cup final, but the Polish goalkeeper insists he has no regrets. In a candid Instagram post, Szczesny shared how his fearless approach to football has defined his career and brought him unexpected opportunities.
After retiring in the summer, Szczesny found himself back on the pitch following a call from Barcelona, who offered him the role of reserve goalkeeper for the current season. Despite stepping away from the game in September, Szczesny agreed to join one of the world’s biggest clubs, marking a surprising return to professional football.
Coach Hansi Flick gave Szczesny a rare starting opportunity in the highly anticipated clash against Real Madrid. However, his return ended prematurely in the 56th minute when he fouled Kylian Mbappé outside the penalty area, earning a deserved straight red card.
Szczesny addressed the incident on Instagram, stating, "Yes, I made a bad decision and was sent off in my first El Clasico! It's not a pleasant feeling. But experience allows me to see things from a different perspective."
He continued by reflecting on his unexpected return to football, writing, "I retired from football in September and am enjoying life on the beaches and golf courses of Marbella. Four months later I played a game that I could only watch on TV or play on FIFA."
Despite the red card, Szczesny emphasized his fearless mentality: "I never intended to hide and play this game in fear of difficult decisions and risks. Some might think that it was this attitude that caused my red card. I prefer to think that it was this attitude that brought me to where I am now, and it is because of my sometimes unreasonable courage that I am now enjoying my first trophy as a Barcelona player!"
He ended his post with an inspiring message, saying, "Living a life without fear can sometimes hurt you, but believe me, in return you get an incredible adventure! I love this game!"
Szczesny’s words resonated with fans, who praised his honesty and adventurous spirit. While his red card drew criticism from some quarters, many admired the veteran goalkeeper’s boldness in stepping up for one of the most high-pressure matches in football.