Barcelona have signed Wojciech Szczesny as a free agent, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday after the Polish goalkeeper reversed his decision to retire and come to the team's aid after they lost Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a long-term injury.

German keeper Ter Stegen underwent surgery after suffering a rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee over the weekend and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Inaki Pena, 25, is expected to cover for Ter Stegen but Barca have now reinforced their squad with Szczesny, who had announced his retirement last month after terminating his contract with Serie A side Juventus.

The 34-year-old former Poland international had one more year left on his contract at Juve, where he had replaced Italy great Gianluigi Buffon in goal.

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Szczesny won the league and domestic cup three times each in more than 250 appearances for Juve but lost his place to close-season recruit Michele Di Gregorio.

Barcelona are at top of the LaLiga standings with 21 points from eight games, and Hansi Flick's side next visit Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Barcelona have signed Wojciech Szczesny as a free agent, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday after the Polish goalkeeper reversed his decision to retire and come to the team's aid after they lost Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a long-term injury.

Barcelona have signed Wojciech Szczesny as a free agent, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday after the Polish goalkeeper reversed his decision to retire and come to the team's aid after they lost Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a long-term injury. German keeper Ter Stegen underwent surgery after suffering a rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee over the weekend and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Inaki Pena, 25, is expected to cover for Ter Stegen but Barca have now reinforced their squad with Szczesny, who had announced his retirement last month after terminating his contract with Serie A side Juventus. The 34-year-old former Poland international had one more year left on his contract at Juve, where he had replaced Italy great Gianluigi Buffon in goal. ALSO READ | ICC Rankings: Bumrah gains top spot among Test bowlers, Jaiswal third in batting after Bangladesh win Szczesny won the league and domestic cup three times each in more than 250 appearances for Juve but lost his place to close-season recruit Michele Di Gregorio. Barcelona are at top of the LaLiga standings with 21 points from eight games, and Hansi Flick's side next visit Deportivo Alaves on Sunday. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Barcelona sign free agent Wojciech Szczesny as Polish goalkeeper comes out of retirement

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Tuesday announced he was retiring from football at the age of 34 less than two weeks after the end of his contract with Juventus.

"Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family " he wrote on Instagram. "Therefore, I have decided to retire."

Szczesny won 84 international caps, the last at Euro 2024 where he started as Poland lost their first two group games but was rested for their last match, a dead rubber against France.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paris-paralympics-2024-live-streaming-how-to-watch-paris-paralympics-2024-on-tv-753746">Paris Paralympics 2024 Live Streaming: How to Watch Paris Paralympics 2024 on TV</a>

He played club football most notably for Arsenal and Juventus.

He recalled leaving Poland for Arsenal in 2006.

"Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime," he wrote.

He joined Juventus in 2017 from Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups, succeeding the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.

He won three Serie A titles and three Italian Cups. In 252 matches for the club he kept 103 clean sheets.

On August 14, Juventus announced that&nbsp;they had agreed a mutual termination of their contract with Szczesny.

Italian media linked the goalkeeper with a possible move to a club in Saudi Arabia.

"I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior," Szczesny wrote on Instagram.

"I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses."

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Tuesday announced he was retiring from football at the age of 34 less than two weeks after the end of his contract with Juventus.

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Tuesday announced he was retiring from football at the age of 34 less than two weeks after the end of his contract with Juventus. "Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family " he wrote on Instagram. "Therefore, I have decided to retire." Szczesny won 84 international caps, the last at Euro 2024 where he started as Poland lost their first two group games but was rested for their last match, a dead rubber against France. Also Read: Paris Paralympics 2024 Live Streaming: How to Watch Paris Paralympics 2024 on TV He played club football most notably for Arsenal and Juventus. He recalled leaving Poland for Arsenal in 2006. "Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime," he wrote. He joined Juventus in 2017 from Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups, succeeding the legendary Gianluigi Buffon. He won three Serie A titles and three Italian Cups. In 252 matches for the club he kept 103 clean sheets. On August 14, Juventus announced that they had agreed a mutual termination of their contract with Szczesny. Italian media linked the goalkeeper with a possible move to a club in Saudi Arabia. "I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior," Szczesny wrote on Instagram. "I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

I have decided: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 34, retires from football

On Sunday, defending champions France defeated Poland 3-1, in the Round of 16 clash, to progress ahead in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.&nbsp;Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal for the French line-up, before the second-half, whereas Kylian Mbappe struck twice in the 74th minute and during the extra time to kill the game before Polish star Robert Lewandowski scored prior to his side's inevitable defeat.&nbsp;

With this win, France march ahead in the Qatar 2022 and remain on course to become the first side to successfully defend their World Cup since Brazil in 1962. They next face Harry Kane-led England in the quarter-finals, on December 11, which is expected to be a mouth-watering clash. On the other hand, it was the end of Poland's run in the ongoing World Cup, in the Middle East, with heartbreak for its players and fans worldwide. After the match, a video went viral where Polish goalkeeper&nbsp;Wojciech Szczesny can be seen consoling his son Liam. Here's the clip:

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rift-emerges-in-german-dressing-room-after-world-cup-mouth-covering-protest-reports-540172">Rift emerges in German dressing room after World Cup mouth-covering protest: Reports</a>

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🇵🇱 Szczęsny a mis ses émotions de côté pour réconforter son fils âgé de 4 ans, totalement effondré suite à l’élimination de la Pologne. 😢 
<a href="https://t.co/JUGawUmaOe">pic.twitter.com/JUGawUmaOe</a>
— Cerfia Foot (@CerfiaFoot) <a href="https://twitter.com/CerfiaFoot/status/1599515948389728258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Reflecting on his side's game versus Poland, France coach&nbsp;Didier Deschamps told the broadcaster TF1, "It wasn't easy because Poland were well organised and tried to counter us." He added,&nbsp;"Then there is Kylian with his ability to resolve all sorts of problems, and that's just as well for us. This team has been united from the beginning and obviously a result like this one confirms that. The joy is shared among everyone."

The French line-up won't have it easy against the Englishmen in their next face-off in the quarters. England moved ahead with a clinical 3-0 win over Senegal in Round of 16.

On Sunday, defending champions France defeated Poland 3-1, in the Round of 16 clash, to progress ahead in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal for the French line-up, before the second-half, whereas Kylian Mbappe struck twice in the 74th minute and during the extra time to kill the game before Polish star Robert Lewandowski scored prior to his side's inevitable defeat.

On Sunday, defending champions France defeated Poland 3-1, in the Round of 16 clash, to progress ahead in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal for the French line-up, before the second-half, whereas Kylian Mbappe struck twice in the 74th minute and during the extra time to kill the game before Polish star Robert Lewandowski scored prior to his side's inevitable defeat. With this win, France march ahead in the Qatar 2022 and remain on course to become the first side to successfully defend their World Cup since Brazil in 1962. They next face Harry Kane-led England in the quarter-finals, on December 11, which is expected to be a mouth-watering clash. On the other hand, it was the end of Poland's run in the ongoing World Cup, in the Middle East, with heartbreak for its players and fans worldwide. After the match, a video went viral where Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny can be seen consoling his son Liam. Here's the clip: Also read: Rift emerges in German dressing room after World Cup mouth-covering protest: Reports 🇵🇱 Szczęsny a mis ses émotions de côté pour réconforter son fils âgé de 4 ans, totalement effondré suite à l’élimination de la Pologne. 😢 pic.twitter.com/JUGawUmaOe — Cerfia Foot (@CerfiaFoot) December 4, 2022 × Reflecting on his side's game versus Poland, France coach Didier Deschamps told the broadcaster TF1, "It wasn't easy because Poland were well organised and tried to counter us." He added, "Then there is Kylian with his ability to resolve all sorts of problems, and that's just as well for us. This team has been united from the beginning and obviously a result like this one confirms that. The joy is shared among everyone." The French line-up won't have it easy against the Englishmen in their next face-off in the quarters. England moved ahead with a clinical 3-0 win over Senegal in Round of 16.

WATCH: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny consoles son Liam in heartwarming video after FIFA WC exit

Lionel Messi-starrer Argentina were in a do-or-die scenario when they squared off versus Robert Lewandowski's Poland in a vital group stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2022 edition, in Qatar. After losing to Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener and then beating Mexico, Argentina had to win to progress ahead into the Round of 16 and they managed to do that with a&nbsp; 2-0 scoreline versus the Polish line-up. Despite the defeat, Poland have also gone through to the next round.&nbsp;

The Argentina-Poland clash lived up to expectations, with Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez scoring a goal each. Nonetheless, Messi could've also added to his goal tally but the 35-year-old missed an opportunity to score on a penalty kick, courtesy of Poland keeper&nbsp;Wojciech Szczesny's brilliant save. The Argentina captain earned a spot kick&nbsp;after he was fouled by Polish goalkeeper but he failed to make the most of the opportunity with Sczesny showing great composure and denied Messi from scoring by reading his move and stopping the ball by using a single hand.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/argentina-outclass-poland-mexico-beat-saudi-arabia-but-miss-out-on-last-16-538920">Argentina outclass Poland; Mexico beat Saudi Arabia but miss out on last 16</a>

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High-speed shot, high-speed save ⚡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICYMI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICYMI</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/13Szczesny13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@13Szczesny13</a> showed his 👌 reflexes to deny <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Messi</a> from the penalty spot 🧤 
 
From more of such amazing saves, keep watching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a>, LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JioCinema?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JioCinema</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sports18?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sports18</a> 📺📲<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWConJioCinema?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWConJioCinema</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWConSports18?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWConSports18</a> <a href="https://t.co/sryeCurTSb">pic.twitter.com/sryeCurTSb</a>
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) <a href="https://twitter.com/JioCinema/status/1598140508966043649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Despite missing on a scoring opportunity, Messi didn't have a forgettable outing versus the Polish line-up. Here's how:

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Despite the penalty miss, Lionel Messi impressed for Argentina: 
 
98 touches 
1 big chance created 
5 key passes 
60/71 accurate passes 
4/6 successful dribbles 
7 shots/4 on target (1.21 total xG) 
8.2 Sofascore rating 
 
He is the goat. With no doubts.||📽️<a href="https://t.co/Ah09y5hRTu">pic.twitter.com/Ah09y5hRTu</a>
— Rio. (@RioDeLFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/RioDeLFC/status/1598098758142930945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Messi will like to turn on the heat and return to scoring ways in Argentina's Round of 16 clash, where they are set to face Australia whereas Poland need to pull up their socks as they will lock horns with defending champions France in the next round. Talking about the other two teams in Group C, Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a riveting tie but both sides bowed out of the World Cup in Qatar.&nbsp;

Lionel Messi-starrer Argentina were in a do-or-die scenario when they squared off versus Robert Lewandowski's Poland in a vital group stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2022 edition, in Qatar.

Lionel Messi-starrer Argentina were in a do-or-die scenario when they squared off versus Robert Lewandowski's Poland in a vital group stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2022 edition, in Qatar. After losing to Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener and then beating Mexico, Argentina had to win to progress ahead into the Round of 16 and they managed to do that with a 2-0 scoreline versus the Polish line-up. Despite the defeat, Poland have also gone through to the next round. The Argentina-Poland clash lived up to expectations, with Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez scoring a goal each. Nonetheless, Messi could've also added to his goal tally but the 35-year-old missed an opportunity to score on a penalty kick, courtesy of Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny's brilliant save. The Argentina captain earned a spot kick after he was fouled by Polish goalkeeper but he failed to make the most of the opportunity with Sczesny showing great composure and denied Messi from scoring by reading his move and stopping the ball by using a single hand. Also read: Argentina outclass Poland; Mexico beat Saudi Arabia but miss out on last 16 High-speed shot, high-speed save ⚡#ICYMI, @13Szczesny13 showed his 👌 reflexes to deny #Messi from the penalty spot 🧤 From more of such amazing saves, keep watching #FIFAWorldCup, LIVE on #JioCinema & #Sports18 📺📲#Qatar2022 #FIFAWConJioCinema #FIFAWConSports18 pic.twitter.com/sryeCurTSb — JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 1, 2022 × Despite missing on a scoring opportunity, Messi didn't have a forgettable outing versus the Polish line-up. Here's how: Despite the penalty miss, Lionel Messi impressed for Argentina: 98 touches 1 big chance created 5 key passes 60/71 accurate passes 4/6 successful dribbles 7 shots/4 on target (1.21 total xG) 8.2 Sofascore rating He is the goat. With no doubts.||📽️pic.twitter.com/Ah09y5hRTu — Rio. (@RioDeLFC) November 30, 2022 × Messi will like to turn on the heat and return to scoring ways in Argentina's Round of 16 clash, where they are set to face Australia whereas Poland need to pull up their socks as they will lock horns with defending champions France in the next round. Talking about the other two teams in Group C, Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a riveting tie but both sides bowed out of the World Cup in Qatar.

WATCH: Messi fails to score from penalty kick due to Szczesny's splendid save in Argentina-Portugal tie