Claudio Bravo open to come out of retirement for surprise Barcelona return on one condition: Reports
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has said that he will come out of retirement if Barca come calling for his services. The La Liga giants have lost their captain and current custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a potential season-ending injury.
Hansi Flick's side continued their perfect start to their La Liga campaign - winning 5-1 at Real Valladolid at the weekend - thanks to braces from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. However, victory was soured by Ter Stegen landing awkwardly while trying to collect a corner and getting stretchered off the field.
AS has reported the the German injured the patellar tendon of his right knee and is likely to be out for seven to eight months, which means he might be out for the season.
To mitigate the crisis, Barca have been linked with a few goalkeeping options, but as the transfer window is not open now, they can only sign a custodian who's not in contract with any club right now. One such option is Bravo, who announced his retirement in August after his fourth season at Real Betis.
The former Chile international spent a successful four-season spell at the Camp Nou between 2014 and 2017, keeping an impressive 43 clean sheets in 75 games across competitions, winning the 2014-15 continental treble.
Bravo has said about a potential return to Barca following Ter Stegen's injury (as per Mundo Deportivo):
"If Barcelona calls me, I'll go."
Bravo also won two Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before moving to Betis in the summer of 2020, announcing his retirement four years later.
What's next for Barcelona?
Barcelona have made a superb start to life under new boss Hansi Flick, winning their opening six La Liga games to go four points clear of second-placed holders Real Madrid.
Coming off a surprise 2-1 loss at AS Monaco in midweek in their UEFA Champions League opener, Barca returned to winning ways with an emphatic win at Villarreal in the league. However, their captain Ter Stegen has now joined a lengthy injury list that includes the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo.
The Blaugrana are next in action at home to Getafe on Wednesday (September 25). Having scored a league-high 22 goals, Flick's side will look to continue their perfect start to their campaign as they seek their second La Liga title in three years.