Claudio Bravo Willing to ‘Come Out of Retirement’ for Barcelona After Ter Stegen Injury – News18
Claudio Bravo with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen back in the day at Barcelona (X)
Bravo, who announced his retirement earlier this year, stated his intention take up the goalkeeping duties once again for Barcelona, if the club were to ask him.
Upon hearing the news of Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s potential season-ending injury, former keeper Claudio Bravo announced that he would be willing to come out of retirement to play for the Blaugranas yet again on Monday.
Ter Stegen left the field on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury in a 5-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.
The German’s right knee buckled when he fell awkwardly after going for a high ball crossed into the area just before halftime, leading to players from both teams immediately calling for medical assistance.
News of the first-choice goalkeeper’s injury, which will now require surgery to help heal, left Barcelona and their fans frazzled over who would take the mantle between the goalposts for the team.
Now, it seems as the Catalans may have another option in hand as Chile’s Claudio Bravo stated his intention to take up the responsibility once again for Barcelona, if the club were to ask him.
“If Barcelona want me, I will be ready to come out of retirement”, he told WinWin All Sports, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
The 41-year-old announced his retirement at the end of last season after four years with Real Betis, with whom he made 14 appearances across all competitions, as well as play for his national side Chile at the Copa America earlier this year.
Bravo shares a decorated history with Barcelona, having joined their ranks back in 2014 for a two year stint after which he left for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2016.
His career in Camp Nou saw the Chilean register 43 clean sheets in 75 appearances, clinching 8 trophies including he historic treble in his debut season for Barcelona.
The day Claudio Bravo said he felt invincible “I felt so invincible, if Real Madrid kept playing for 2 more days they were never going to score against me”Imagine the scoreline if he wasn’t in goal that day, 4-4 or 4-5 to RM for sure pic.twitter.com/KnO7tnwUx2
— growing pains (@TerStegenGWS) February 27, 2024
Claudio Bravo in goal for Barcelona, facing off against Real Madrid in 2015-16
Ter Stegen’s injury though also opens up the door for Barcelona’s second-choice keeper Inaki Pena, who played in 23 matches for the club since making his debut back in 2022.
The Spaniard will now have a free ticket to establish himself as the main man between the sticks for Barcelona, due to a lack of a reliable third option.
Regardless, it is expected that Barcelona will keep their options open and try to scout for another keeper to strengthen their squad as Hansi Flick would aim to keep their strong start to their campaign going.
