Wojciech Szczesny retires from professional football

Just parting ways with Juventus, Wojciech Szczesny announces retirement from professional football, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed on Tuesday.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper made the announcement in an emotional statement on Instagram.

“I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football. Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime. Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times. Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life,” he wrote on the social site.

Szczęsny thrived in Italy with Juventus, where he won multiple Serie A titles and became the club’s first choice stopper after legendary Gianluigi Buffon’s departure.

 

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Not only that, he cemented his legacy in as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers with the Polish national team, earning 84 caps.

“I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me. I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior. I’ve made friends for life, created unforgetable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, tough my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore,” he added.

“I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.

“Therefore I have decided to retire from professional football,” he concluded.

The 34-year-old made 252 appearances in the Juventus jersey. He earned 100 clean sheets, saved nine penalties and had an impressive 73% save percentage rate, which placed him first in Serie A in this category since his arrival in Turin.