I’m an ex-Arsenal star – Lionel Messi sent me three beers after he scored against me

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has opened up about facing Lionel Messi, with the new Barcelona goalkeeper discussing his gift from the Inter Miami forward

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will never forget how many times Lionel Messi has scored past him. Szczesny recently joined Messi's old club Barcelona as cover for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen but already had reminders of the Argentinian's legacy at Camp Nou.

Despite briefly retiring after leaving Juventus this summer, Szczesny joined the Catalan giants this month. The Poland international began his senior career with Arsenal and made 181 appearances for Arsene Wenger's team before heading to Serie A with Roma and Juve. The experienced shot-stopper has never been short of confidence, except when coming up against Messi.

The 34-year-old first faced the Argentinian icon in the Gunners' 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2011, but has not won any of their other six meetings. Messi has scored past Szczesny on three occasions: a number he will never forget after Budweiser celebrated Messi breaking Pele's single-club record with his 644th goal for Barcelona.

The beer brand dished out personalised bottles to all of the 160 goalkeepers Messi had scored past, with each representing the goals he had scored for the Catalan club. Szczesny has spoken openly about his fear when seeing Messi on the pitch and joked about the forward's cheeky gift.

"I think Leo only scored three [against me]," Szczesny told Mundo Deportivo. "I remember because he only sent me three beers! There are probably other players who have scored more against me, but he was the only one I was actually afraid to play against. Because he was that good."

Messi's goals against Szczesny came during the goalkeeper's time in Italy. He scored a brace in a 6-1 victory over Roma and added another against Juventus in a 2-0 win. Despite the problems that Messi has posed to Szczesny during his career, the current Inter Miami forward helped the Poland goalkeeper make one of the most important saves of his career.

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"The most satisfying save was Messi's penalty in the Qatar World Cup," Szczesny explained. "But it wasn't the best save in my career - the stadium and the rival made that moment very special for me."

In their clash at the 2022 World Cup, Poland suffered a 2-0 defeat but progressed to the knockout rounds on goal difference, with Szczesny's save from Messi playing a vital role. After the game, Szczesny confessed that he had lost a bet to Messi on the pitch.

"No, I didn't [think the penalty would be given]," Szczesny revealed to TV 2 Sport post-match. "We spoke before the penalty and I told him I can bet him €100 that he wasn't going to give it. So I've lost a bet against Messi. I don't know if that's allowed at the World Cup.

"I'm probably going to be banned for it. I don't care right now. I'm not going to pay him either. He doesn't care about €100, come on!"

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