Barcelona's latest signing Wojciech Szczesny opened up about his admiration for club legend Lionel Messi. The 34-year-old recently came out of retirement to sign for the Catalan club following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Szczesny had earlier announced his decision to retire this summer. However, the former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper was forced to put his gloves back on after being approached by Barcelona to help with their goalkeeping crisis.
Ter Stegen suffered a severe knee injury in the side’s league clash against Villarreal in September, leaving Hansi Flick’s side with a big hole to fill in the goalkeeping department. As a result, the club decided to bring Szczesny into their ranks, signing him for the 2024-25 season.
The former Poland international has yet to feature for the club but is expected to make his debut in the coming weeks. In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, Szczesny revealed his admiration for former Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
When asked who is the best player of all time, he replied:
“Lionel Messi”
The Barcelona star also talked about his World Cup encounter with Messi where he saved a penalty from the Argentine icon.
"My best-ever save was from the penalty I stopped from Leo at the 2022 World Cup. It wasn't the best save I've made, as it was a standard penalty, but it was because of the setting and the opponent," he said.
He further added that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is the only player he is afraid to play against.
"There are strikers who've scored more goals against me, I think he only scored three. I know this because he sent the beers and he only sent me three beers (as part of a campaign from Budweiser for every goal Messi scored against a goalkeeper).
"He is the only one I was really afraid to play against because he was a killer," Szczesny added.
Lionel Messi wants Argentina teammate at Barcelona - Reports
According to El Nacional, Lionel Messi has nominated Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez as a goalkeeper option for Barcelona.
Despite bringing in Szczesny on a one-year deal, La Blaugrana hope to bring in a long-term replacement for Ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper is out for the season with a serious knee injury.
According to reports, Messi wants Barca to sign Martinez who has proven his worth in goal in the recent times. However, Martinez is contracted with Aston Villa until 2029, meaning that Barcelona would have to pay a tangible sum to get his services.