Barcelona veteran makes honest admission – ‘Every training session is more painful’

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has never been the kind of footballer who hides behind predictable answers.

He has always been a character throughout his illustrious career and has spent the last two seasons at Barcelona as a valuable member of the squad.

The Barcelona shot-stopper, now 36, has opened up about how much harder daily training has become as the years pass.

His remarks arrive at a time when Barcelona’s goalkeeping situation beyond Joan Garcia is still very much up in the air.

Szczesny spoke to Polish television during his holidays and was asked whether the passage of time is easier to handle in his personal or professional life.

As quoted by SPORT, he said: “In personal life, the passage of time is even a pleasant experience, something that does not happen in professional life.”

Szczesny admits age is catching up with him. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Szczesny then went on to offer further insight into how difficult each training session has become. He said:

“In my professional life, I will not deny that every training session is more painful for me, it is suffering. It requires much more energy from me. It takes mental energy for me to get up in the morning, my body finds it harder every day.”

A veteran still willing to suffer

Szczesny’s honesty is striking, but the ex-Juventus man has also made it clear that he embraces the difficulties of playing at the highest level.

“It is something that I also accept as a challenge that I set myself every day: to get up, go to training and give everything,” Szczesny noted.

That mentality explains why he remains valued inside Barcelona’s dressing room. Even if his body is no longer responding with the same ease, his professionalism and experience continue to carry weight.

Barcelona still have decisions to make

Szczesny’s contract expires in 2027. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Szczesny has one year left on his contract, and everything indicates that he will continue for at least one more season, but that could change in the coming weeks.

Barcelona are still working through a crowded goalkeeping department, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future uncertain, several younger keepers needing clarity and Alex Remiro mentioned as a possible option.

Szczesny, if he stays, will continue to be professional. Whether he is the second- or third-choice goalkeeper, he will continue to contribute a lot as a leader in the dressing room.

Players like the Pole are hard to find, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him in the coming weeks.