Poland boss discusses Szczesny’s potential return to international duty – ‘Have to be prepared for everything’

New Poland national team head coach Jan Urban has addressed the growing speculation about a possible return of Wojciech Szczesny to international football. 

Szczesny retired from professional football over a year ago, but his impressive performances in Spain have reignited the conversation about a comeback.

His journey has taken unexpected turns in recent months. After playing his final match for the Poland national team at the European Championship on July 25 last year, he believed his chapter with the national team was closed. 

What he did not expect was to later sign for Barcelona, stepping into one of the most challenging roles of his career as the new goalkeeper at Camp Nou.

Now, after securing his position in the Barça squad for the coming season, the question is whether he might also return to the Polish national team. 

Jan Urban, who recently took over as head coach, plans to visit Barcelona in the coming days. His primary mission will be to meet with Robert Lewandowski, but the Szczesny situation is also part of the agenda.

Keeping the doors open

Speaking to Przeglad Sportowy (h/t SPORT), Urban addressed the Szczesny topic with a mix of humour and realism.

“Life brings us different scenarios, so we have to be prepared for everything,” Urban said, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of football careers.

However, despite his open-minded remarks, a comeback for Szczesny seems highly unlikely.

After his retirement last year, Szczesny was honoured by Polish fans in an emotional farewell, signalling the end of his international career.

Earlier this year, former coach Michal Probierz also tried to convince Szczesny to return, but the goalkeeper declined. “I proposed to him if he wanted to return to the national team, yes… but he told me no,” Probierz revealed in January.

Szczesny is now focused entirely on his role at Barcelona, where he will have a new challenge this season.