Ex-Premier League goalkeeper offers to come out of retirement at 41 to play for Barcelona after Marc-Andre ter Stegen injury
09/23/2024 12:35 PM
Claudio Bravo says he would ‘be ready’ to pause his retirement by re-signing for Barcelona following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury.
German goalkeeper Ter Stegen is due to have knee surgery after he ruptured a patella tendon in Barca’s 5-1 win over Villarreal on Sunday.
ESPN have reported that he could be out of action for ‘months’ and it’s unlikely he will return to the pitch this season.
Barcelona’s chiefs, including sporting director Deco and boss Hansi Flick, will hold ’emergency talks’ about signing a free agent.
Other options include keeping Inaki Pena, who came on to replace Ter Stegen, as the starting goalkeeper or sign a replacement in the January transfer window.
However, should Barcelona choose to bring in a reinforcement now, then they could turn to one of their former stars.
Speaking to Arabic outlet winwin.com, former Barca man Bravo said: “If Barcelona calls me, I will be ready.”
Bravo spent two seasons at the club from 2014 to 2016 and made 75 appearances in all competitions, keeping 43 clean sheets.
During his spell, he won two LaLiga titles and the Champions League, as well as two Copas del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, the Club World Cup and the Super Cup.
He then signed for Manchester City and won the Premier League along with two Carabao Cups before leaving in 2020 for Real Betis.
After a career that also saw him earn 150 caps for Chile, Bravo announced his retirement in August at the age of 41.
However, it’s not yet clear if Barcelona will opt to bring him back, with other goalkeepers including former Real Madrid star Keylor Navas and ex-Liverpool man Loris Karius also without clubs.
Flick’s side would be able to sign a free agent outside of the transfer window as per LaLiga rules.
Barcelona have a 100 per cent record in the league so far this season and sit top of the table, four points ahead of rivals Madrid.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been one of their key stars so far thanks to his four goals and five assists.
