Claudio Bravo Offers Temporary Return Amid Ter Stegen’s Injury

Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has expressed willingness to temporarily come out of retirement to replace Barcelona‘s injured Marc-André ter Stegen, according to a report by The Week. Bravo’s potential comeback comes after Ter Stegen suffered a severe injury during Barcelona’s La Liga match against Villarreal on Sunday, rendering him out of action for an extended period of time.

Bravo, aged 41, had retired from professional football in August following a distinguished career spanning top tiers in Chile, Spain, England, and most recently with Real Betis. The former Chilean international ended his career after playing for clubs such as Colo Colo, Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, and Real Betis.

“If Barça calls me, I will be ready,” Bravo reportedly told the Arabic outlet WinWin, signaling his readiness to assist his former club in times of need.

Marc-André ter Stegen, the cornerstone of Barcelona’s defensive lineup, suffered a “complete rupture” of the patella tendon in his right knee during the Villarreal clash. He was in visible distress and was replaced by the 25-year-old backup goalkeeper, Iñaki Peña. Barcelona later verified the injury, indicating that Ter Stegen would require surgery on Monday.

Iñaki Peña, who has been with the club since 2023 under an extended contract running until June 2026, has a significant buyout clause set at 400 million euros. With Ter Stegen’s injury leaving a sizeable gap, Bravo’s offer provides a well-timed option for the Catalan giants.

Reflecting on his career, Claudio Bravo began his football journey at Colo-Colo before making a significant move to Real Sociedad. Following eight years in Spain’s Basque Country, he joined Barcelona, where he contended with Ter Stegen for the number one jersey for two years. Bravo’s tenure in Barcelona was marked by success, as he accumulated nine major titles, including league and cup doubles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup, during his stay.

After Barcelona, the Chilean goalkeeper went on to play for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and later took his talents to Real Betis in Spain. Although retired, Bravo’s past experience and previous relationship with Barcelona may make him an appealing short-term solution during Ter Stegen’s recovery.