"A few months ago I was on the beach, now I'm with the best team in Europe"

In September, Wojciech Szczesny was still enjoying his retirement after having hung up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season with Juventus. Cut forward to April, and he is getting ready to play a Champions League quarter-final with the Barcelona badge on his chest.

The Polish goalkeeper reflected on how his life has changed over the past few months since leaving retirement to join the Catalans in October, as he spoke ahead of the second leg of Barcelona's tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night at the Signal Iduna Park.

"I like to win. I was on the beach a few months ago, and I didn't really want to play football, and now I get to play with what I believe is the best team in Europe," he told reporters during a press conference on the eve of the clash. "So, it's a little bit surreal for me."

Having been signed to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen, ruled out since September due to a severe knee injury, Szczesny's contract with Barca is only valid until June 30. And with the German shot-stopper closing in on his return, the 34-year-old was asked to comment on his future with the club.

"I am here to replace Marc, but I want to play in this competition. I would respect the opinion if it were the other way around, we have a good relationship," he said, before adding: "It's not something I think about too much. I focus on the present. I don't want to waste energy on contract negotiations."

The former 'Bianconeri' captain, who admitted he is only concentrated on 'playing the best football I can' from now until the end of the campaign, revealed an anecdote from the time the 'Blaugrana' called him to sign him following Ter Stegen's injury. 

"Honestly, I was playing golf with my son. The truth is that before that moment, I had already received a signal. It was strange for me, because not many players would call them in that situation. It was very natural," he revealed.