I spent nine years at Arsenal – there was one opponent I was scared to play against-Arsenal player confessed that always has high blood pressure whenever he meets this player😳

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has admitted that facing Lionel Messi always filled him with fear.

 

At 34, Szczesny briefly retired this summer, but an unexpected opportunity arose when Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a season-ending knee injury. Seizing the chance, Szczesny, who spent the past seven years at Juventus, came out of retirement and signed with the Catalan giants earlier this month.

 

The former Poland No. 1 started his professional career with Arsenal, where he spent nine years and won two FA Cups. He also had a two-year loan stint at Roma, where his excellent performances convinced Juventus to make him the long-term successor to the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.

 

Despite being allowed to leave Arsenal, Szczesny went on to have a successful career and even turned down the Gunners’ attempt to re-sign him as a backup to David Raya this summer. Reflecting on his career, Szczesny revealed that while many players have scored against him, Messi is the only one who truly intimidated him.

 

“I was always scared to play against Leo. There are probably other players who have scored more against me,” Szczesny told *Mundo Deportivo*. “But he was the only one I was actually afraid to play against. Because he was that good.”

 

Szczesny has faced Messi six times in his career, winning only once with Arsenal in 2011 and suffering injuries on two occasions. Messi has netted three goals against him, but Szczesny also had a memorable moment when he saved a Messi penalty during the 2022 World Cup. That stop was crucial as Poland advanced to the knockout stages on goal difference.

 

When asked about his most memorable saves, Szczesny remarked, “The most satisfying save was Messi’s penalty in the Qatar World Cup, but it wasn’t the best save of my career. The stadium and the opponent made that moment very special for me.”

 

Now at Barcelona, Szczesny finds himself reunited with Robert Lewandowski, a familiar face from the Polish national team. The two have played together for Poland 71 times, and Szczesny revealed that Lewandowski played a role in his decision to return to football.

 

“He was the first person to call me and ask, ‘If there’s a possibility, would you come out of retirement?’ We talked for a while but didn’t reach any conclusion,” Szczesny said. “Ultimately, my wife had the most influence on my decision, though it wasn’t just one person.”

 

By the time Barcelona manager Hansi Flick contacted Szczesny, his mind was already made up. “When the coach called me, I was already 99% decided. He just called to congratulate me and explain how he sees the game,” Szczesny added.