Overview
- Wojciech Szczesny, Barcelona's interim starting goalkeeper, has publicly admitted to a long-standing nicotine addiction, describing it as a battle he has lost.
- He urged fans not to follow his example, emphasizing the negative impact of smoking while acknowledging his struggles with the habit since his youth.
- Szczesny came out of retirement in late 2024 to replace the injured Marc-André ter Stegen and has delivered stellar performances, losing only one of 25 matches and keeping 13 clean sheets.
- Fans have embraced Szczesny as a cult figure, nicknaming him 'Szczesny fumador' for his candidness and on-field contributions, as Barcelona chases a potential treble this season.
- Despite his success, Szczesny has expressed a desire to remain honest about his flaws, balancing his role as a footballing example with the reality of his personal struggles.