Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has stated he would gladly step in as a temporary replacement for Barcelona’s injured Marc-André ter Stegen if needed, according to The Week on Monday.
Ter Stegen sustained a serious injury during Barcelona’s La Liga match against Villarreal on Sunday, which will keep him sidelined for an extended period.
Bravo, 41, announced his retirement from football in August after an illustrious career with Colo Colo, Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, and Real Betis.
However, despite hanging up his boots, the Copa America winner appears open to a brief return if Barcelona approaches him.
Ter Stegen was visibly in pain during the Villarreal match and was swiftly replaced by backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
In a Monday statement, the club confirmed, “The German international was visibly in pain and was quickly replaced by Iñaki Peña.”
In 2023, Peña, 25, extended his contract with Barcelona until June 2026, with a buyout clause of 400 million euros.
Barcelona later confirmed that Ter Stegen suffered a “complete rupture” of the patella tendon in his right knee, requiring surgery on Monday.
He was stretchered off after falling awkwardly while attempting to clear a high cross just before halftime. Surgery was scheduled for Monday after further tests confirmed the severity of the injury.
Meanwhile, Bravo, who was in Barcelona from 2014 to 2016, announced his retirement on August 27 through social media.
Reflecting on his career, the Chilean goalkeeper started at Colo-Colo before moving to Real Sociedad.
After eight years in San Sebastián, he joined Barcelona, where he competed with Ter Stegen for two seasons.
In 2016, Bravo transferred to Manchester City, followed by a move to Real Betis after four years in England.
During his two years at Barcelona, Bravo played 75 competitive matches and won nine major titles, including two league and cup doubles, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
As noted in an August 28 statement from Barcelona, “In his two years at Barça, he played 75 competitive fixtures and won no fewer than nine major titles, including the league and cup double in both years, as well as the Champions League and the Clubs World Cup.”
