A Barcelona first-team star has refused to join his country’s national team, citing his desire to fully focus on the Catalan club.
The Spanish newspaper ‘‘Marca‘‘ reported that Szczęsny decided not to return to the national team, coinciding with his impressive performances for Barcelona, which recently brought him out of retirement. The goalkeeper has made the decision to fully focus on the Catalan club.
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This comes as Barcelona seeks to tie Szczęsny to a new contract, keeping him at the club until June 2026. This follows his impressive performances in matches under German coach Hansi Flick, which have established him as the Blaugrana’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The Polish Football Association has already announced the national team’s roster for the upcoming international break, which will include two matches against Lithuania and Malta on March 21 and 24. Szczęsny is not included, but his friend and Barcelona teammate, Robert Lewandowski, is.
Szczęsny announced his international retirement last summer after the Euros, bringing an end to a career that spanned 84 caps. Coach Pröppers recently attempted to bring him back from retirement, but to no avail. Szczęsny joined the Catalan club after the summer transfer window closed following the injury to first-choice goalkeeper Ter Stegen, who will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
