Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has made a heartfelt and brutally honest confession about his ongoing struggle with smoking, warning others not to follow the same path and footsteps he did. Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the former Arsenal and Juventus star revealed how smoking became a deeply entrenched habit that he has never been able to fully shake, despite his successful career in elite football.
“Please don’t do the same as me, DON’T SMOKE,” Szczęsny urged. “I lost the battle when I was young, it created a very negative habit for me and I know it. I just can't kick it, you know?”
His words have struck a chord with fans and the footballing world alike, especially given his stature as a role model to many aspiring athletes. Szczęsny, now 35, has enjoyed a decorated career across some of Europe’s top clubs, yet his personal admission serves as a stark reminder that professional athletes often fight private battles behind the scenes.
This isn’t the first time Szczęsny has come under scrutiny for his smoking. Back in 2015 during his time at Arsenal, he was fined £20,000 for smoking in the showers after a match – a moment that marked the beginning of the public’s awareness of his habit. Despite the backlash, Szczęsny has always maintained that it never impacted his performance on the pitch. “I’ve always worked hard, kept myself fit, and given everything in training,” he said in an earlier interview.
Since joining Barcelona as a backup to Marc-André ter Stegen, Szczęsny has found himself back in the spotlight, especially after stepping up during Ter Stegen’s injury spell. His form has been impressive, but it’s his recent openness that has generated even more attention.
His admission is more than just a personal anecdote—it’s a message to young athletes and fans. “It’s not something I’m proud of,” he admitted. “But if my story can stop even one young person from starting, then it’s worth it.”
As conversations about mental health and personal responsibility in sports continue to evolve, Szczęsny’s honesty adds a powerful voice to the discussion. His struggle, while deeply personal, shines a light on the importance of vulnerability, even for those at the top.
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