New Barcelona star reveals bizarre story where Lionel Messi bought him a beer

New Barcelona star Wojciech Szczesny has opened up on his admiration for club icon Lionel Messi .

Barcelona activated a La Liga rule to bring in a replacement for injured captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen earlier this month with the Germany international ruled out until next season following knee surgery.

Despite Szczesny's summer decision to retire from professional football, he was convinced to accept a return to the game, as part of a contract until the end of 2024/25 campaign.

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Szczesny will battle with Inaki Pena to become Hansi Flick's first-choice between the posts in Catalonia and he has already won over some Barcelona fans with his love for Messi.

"(Who is the best player of all-time?) Lionel Messi", he answered as part of an interview with Mundo Deportivo .

"My best-ever save was from the penalty I stopped from Leo at the 2022 World Cup. It wasn't the best save I've made, as it was a standard penalty, but it was because of the setting and the opponent.

"There are strikers who've scored more goals against me, I think he only scored three. I know this because he sent the beers and he only sent me three beers (as part of a campaign from  Budweiser for every goal Messi scored against a goalkeeper).

"He is the only one I was really afraid to play against because he was a killer."

As part of his previous retirement, Szczesny was not called up by Poland for the UEFA Nations League duty this month, and he will remain in Barcelona to work on his fitness.

Flick confirmed the former Arsenal star will need time get up to speed with his Barcelona squad but he could feature for his new team before the end of the month.

La Liga leaders Barcelona return to domestic action at home to Sevilla on October 20 before hosting Flick's old team Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League three days later.