Jakub Błaszczykowski's path to becoming a professional footballer was not paved with roses. In his youth, he experienced a real tragedy that almost ended his dreams of playing football. He admits that this moment also shaped him as a person. He shared more about this in a documentary film titled "Kuba" which will be available on Amazon in a few days. He also discussed this topic in an interview with Mateusz Borek.
Jakub Błaszczykowski Talks About His Father: "Yes, I Forgave Him"
At the age of 10, Błaszczykowski had to face a great trauma. He lost his mother, who died from a stab wound inflicted by his father.
I was playing with blocks, the window was ajar, and suddenly I heard a conversation. I knew who was talking, I froze, and I heard them arguing. And then I heard: 'Take that, you b***!' And a scream: 'Aaa!' I ran out as I was. And I saw my mom lying in a ditch, and I saw my father walking away. (...) I took her hand, and two or three of my fingers slipped into the wound. That’s when I knew it was bad. I think my mom died in my arms
- he recounted in his autobiography.
The footballer’s father was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Błaszczykowski couldn't forgive him for a long time. Eventually, he did, as he admitted in an interview with Kanał Sportowy.
"Yes, I forgave him. It’s one of the hardest things, and it took me many years to understand. Today, I can light a candle on his grave. I think the right phrase would be 'time heals all wounds.' Simply put. I also had to spend a lot of time working on myself and understanding the situation. I focused more on the cause rather than the effect," he emphasized.
Błaszczykowski on His Relationship with His Father
Błaszczykowski also talked more about his relationship with his father before the tragedy and the possible reasons why his father committed the crime. - I have earlier memories of my father and moments when we had fun, played football. And then that situation happened, which changed everything. But I think my father had a lot of ambition, and I believe that combined with the disappointment from unmet expectations, along with alcohol, it was an explosive mix. I think that might have influenced what happened - he concluded.
Błaszczykowski's Candid Confession: What He Deeply Regrets
Although Błaszczykowski forgave his father, he admitted that he still regrets that his mother cannot share his successes with him. - This story of mine stays with me for the rest of my life. You can't forget it. It’s a pity that I can’t share my sports career with my mom, but I can’t change that. I have to live with it, I have to accept it - he emphasized. Many times after scoring goals, Błaszczykowski would look up to the sky to dedicate the goal to his late mother.
The footballer ended his career in August 2023, playing for Wisła Kraków. Two months earlier, he played a farewell match at the National Stadium in the white and red colors of Poland.
