Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo declared that he would happily become the temporary replacement for Barcelona custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen if the club is ready. German goalkeeper Ter Stegen suffered an injury during Barcelona's La Liga game against Villareal on Sunday and is not expected to make an immediate comeback.
41-year-old Bravo had announced retirement from football in August. During his illustrious career, the two-time Copa America winner with Chile had donned the colours of Colo Colo, Real Sociedad, FC Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Betis.
“If Barcelona want me, I will be ready to come out of retirement”, he told WinWin All Sports, as quoted by noted journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Bravo joined Barcelona on 25 June 2014 on a four-year deal. During his time with the Catalan club, Bravo won two La Ligas and Copa del Reys, apart from winning the 2015 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League 2014-2015.
Ter Stegen sustained a "complete rupture" of a tendon in his right knee that requires surgery. He left the field on a stretcher after getting injured in a 5-1 win over Villarreal in the Spanish league on Sunday. His right knee buckled when he fell awkwardly after going for a high cross into the area just before halftime. Barcelona said that surgery on Ter Stegen's knee was planned Monday after tests confirmed "that he has a complete rupture in the patella tendon in his right knee."
Hansi Flick's Barcelona are the league leaders in the Spanish top flight after six rounds, winning all games. Real Madrid are second with 14 points -- four behind their bitter rivals.
