Although Barcelona has had a relatively regular line-up under Hansi Flick during the season, a position that has generated a lot of debate is the keeper spot. After Marc-Andre ter Stegen was excluded for most of the season, the Polish veteran Wojciech Szczesny became retired.
Szczesny, 34, signed with Barcelona with Barcelona until the end of the season at the beginning of October, but backup goalkeeper Inaki Pena held his place for the next three months. He also performed strong performance against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in big competitions.
But the new year, however, Szczesny thought his way to the line-up, and despite a series of high-profile errors, the former Polish international had secured the number one place in all competitions at the end of January. According to Sport, Flick also told the sports director Deco that Szczesny and Ter Stegen are the two keepers that he wants to be in the club next season.
It is noted that in recent months some pressure have put on Flick's relationship with Pena, who was not convinced by the support of the German of him publicly in the press. Flick will also have a decision to take the position again this season, with Ter reported on course to recover in April. He is currently not registered for the Champions League, but can be when he returns from a long -term injury. However, he should be registered again instead of Szczesny, making the intentions of Flick clear.
If Barcelona Szczesny were to convince to stay in the club next season and to extend his retirement for the second time, it would probably spell the end of Pena's time in the club. The La Masia product has been in Barcelona since he was a teenager, but his contract rose in 2026 and contract discussions have been postponed since Szczesny has taken over as number one.
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