Barcelona veteran three steps away from historic club record achieved only by five players | OneFootball

Wojciech Szczesny has been proving every doubter wrong since joining FC Barcelona. Brought in as an emergency replacement following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury, the 34-year-old had to wait until January for his debut but has not looked back since then.

It only took him a couple of games to replace Inaki Pena as Hansi Flick’s preferred starter in goal during Ter Stegen’s absence and his impact ever since has been telling.

After all, with Szczesny in goal, Barcelona are yet to lose a single game. Beyond results, his authority, leadership, and consistency have brought stability to the team.

On the cusp of achieving history

Now, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Szczesny is on the verge of joining one of the most exclusive clubs of players in Barcelona’s history.

The Polish goalkeeper, who is expected to sign a renewal, is currently 17 games unbeaten since his debut, a milestone that only eight players in Barça’s history have reached.

Szczesny is now only three games away from reaching 20 unbeaten matches since his debut, a feat only five players have achieved in the club’s history – Albert Celades, Cesc Fabregas, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, and the legendary Johan Cruyff.

Impactful. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Prior to the win against Osasuna on Thursday, Szczesny was on a 16-game unbeaten streak since debut – a record shared by 11 players.

Three of those fell short at the 17th game – Vitor Bahia and Giovanni lost to Athletic Club at San Mames in 1996, and Pepe Reina suffered the same fate years later.

Szczesny has now surpassed them and is now three steps away from joining an elite club of players including the legendary Cruyff.

Szczesny could reach the exclusive 20-game unbeaten club if Barcelona avoid defeat against Girona and Real Betis in La Liga and against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.

The ultimate benchmark is Fabregas’ incredible run of 30 games undefeated in the 2011/12 season.