Wojciech Szczęsny, Barça's goalkeeper, shared a curious detail about his relationship with Ter Stegen on "Barça One." In this conversation, Szczęsny reveals how meditation has become a vital tool for him, and he even disclosed a funny episode involving the German's son.
Szczęsny's Meditation
Athletes often face very high levels of stress, especially before an important match. For some, meditation has become a way to stay calm.
Szczęsny, 34 years old, is no exception. The Polish goalkeeper not only practices meditation in his private life but also in the locker room before matches.
In his interview, Szczęsny revealed that meditation helps him disconnect from the pre-match hustle and bustle. In his case, he doesn't mind doing it in front of his teammates. "I feel comfortable meditating in the locker room in front of everyone, honestly, I don't mind," he commented.
According to him, meditating amidst the noise allows him to focus on his mind and calm down, something that doesn't necessarily require silence.
The Curious Incident with Ter Stegen
One of the funniest moments of the interview came when Szczęsny shared an anecdote about his teammate, Marc-André ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper had mentioned that his son, before a match, entered the locker room and saw Szczęsny in the middle of meditation.
The child, confused, asked, "Dad, why is Szczęsny sleeping?" This scene provoked laughter, and Szczęsny took it with humor, as for him, meditating is a completely natural practice.
His teammate sharing this episode reflects the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Barça's locker room, despite the competition. Moreover, this small detail highlights how Szczęsny's meditation has been viewed with some amazement by some of his teammates, who aren't used to seeing him meditate in public.
Meditation Outside the Locker Room
Although Szczęsny's meditation is known in Barcelona's locker room, his practice isn't limited to the moments before matches. The Pole also does it in other situations, such as on the bus during the journey to the stadium.
In this regard, Szczęsny comments that many of his teammates watch him with curiosity, but they don't always dare to ask what he's doing. However, on occasions, some have decided to approach and ask him about his practice. Szczęsny assures that he has explained how meditation helps him stay focused and prepared for matches.
It's true that not many footballers opt for this type of practice. In professional sports, where noise and pressure are constant, finding tranquility can be quite a challenge. But for Szczęsny, meditation is one of the keys to performing at his best in every match.