"Wojciech Szczesny is one of the most well-liked and respected figures in the FC Barcelona locker room even though he is not a regular starter and has been at the club for only a year or so. The 35-year-old Polish shot-stopper is seen as a mentor in the locker room that is as young as Barcelona's. However, in an interview with the Polish edition of GQ (h/t SPORT), he admitted that sometimes he feels like an unusual figure in the dressing room"
"The goalkeeper explained that although his age could make him a natural mentor, he does not feel comfortable in that role because many of the younger players know the club better, having come through Barcelona's academy. Even so, he understands why some might approach him for advice, thinking: "Mate, I know better because I'm 18 and I play for Barcelona, but what were you like at my age?""
""I asked him, 'Why are you crying?' and he told me he lost the semi-final," began Szczesny. "So I reminded him of his own story. 'Where were you two years ago? You were playing mediocre football in any old stadium. And today, mate, you played in the Champions League semi-final!'" Szczesny recalls the moment he tried to lift Martin's mood after the match, saying: "You'll lose a hundred important games, you'll win another hundred. But look where you are today."
Wojciech Szczesny occupies a respected, senior role within FC Barcelona despite limited first-team minutes and roughly a year at the club. At 35 he often feels out of step with much younger teammates and sometimes like an unusual figure in the dressing room. He recognizes that his age might suggest a mentoring role but does not always feel comfortable being cast as a mentor because many younger players came through Barcelona's academy and know the club well. He accepts that players still seek his advice and described consoling Gerard Martin after the Champions League semi-final loss, stressing perspective and progress.
Read at Barca Universal
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