Barcelona’s recent 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in El Clasico sparked major celebrations, but one of the unexpected highlights was Wojciech Szczesny’s presence in the dressing room, where he was spotted vaping during the festivities.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who rejoined Barcelona from retirement in September, joined teammates in celebrating the momentous win, which has put Barcelona six points ahead of Madrid in La Liga.
Barcelona clinched the victory with a second-half brace from Robert Lewandowski, accompanied by goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The team’s official social media accounts captured the celebratory atmosphere in the dressing room; however, the club later deleted a video showing Szczesny exhaling smoke near Yamal.
This incident brings back memories of 2015, when Szczesny was fined £20,000 and benched by Arsene Wenger for smoking in the showers after Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Southampton. Reflecting on that incident, Szczesny admitted, “The boss knew I smoked… I didn’t want to disrupt anyone, so I was in the corner of the showers.”
Szczesny has continued his smoking habit throughout his career, though he maintains it doesn’t impact his game. In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, he defended his personal lifestyle choices, saying, “I work twice as hard on the pitch, and it’s nobody’s business if I smoke…
I avoid doing it around kids to not set a bad example.” He added that he doesn’t intend to change his ways for others, reiterating, “I am who I am. I’ve been this way my whole life.”
As Barcelona revels in their El Clasico triumph, Szczesny’s presence and approach to his lifestyle choices continue to spark discussion.