The unexpected option that was offered to reinforce Barça's goal after Ter Stegen's injury

FC Barcelona is currently at a real crossroads, why? Following Marc-André ter Stegen's serious injury, who will miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season due to a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee, a setback that requires a recovery time of seven to eight months, the big question arises: should Barça make do with what they have at home (Iñaki Peña, Ander Astralaga, and Diego Kochen) or venture into the free agent market for alternatives?

In this regard, the Blaugrana team seems to lack many proven options to reinforce that position with a free agent, with perhaps the most striking option being Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas. However, in times of contingency like this, no option, however improbable, can be ruled out, can it?

This is where a familiar name for the FC Barcelona fans comes into play, Claudio Bravo. The Chilean, a veteran with extensive experience, is currently retired, having recently concluded his professional career at Real Betis. However, facing the situation Barça is in, Bravo did not hesitate to express in an interview with the Arabic media 'WinWin' that he is willing to come out of retirement if the Barcelona team needs him: "If Barcelona calls me, I will go," he stated.

MUCHAS GRACIAS! @ColoColo @RealSociedad @FCBarcelona_es @ManCity @RealBetis @LaRoja 🫡 pic.twitter.com/xgUDK8zVz8

— Claudio Bravo Muñoz (@C1audioBravo) August 27, 2024

Will FC Barcelona consider Claudio Bravo's proposal?

Now, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona views Claudio Bravo as a viable option to bring experience to the Catalan goal. Despite having a low-activity 2023/24 season at club level (just nine matches played), he did close the season as, at 41 years old, Chile's starting goalkeeper in the Copa America, where he conceded only one goal in two matches (0-0 against Peru and 0-1 against Argentina). Paradoxically, despite 'La Roja's' setback against 'Albiceleste', he was named the MVP of that match.

Will Claudio Bravo maintain that stellar level to offer it to the Blaugrana team? Will the club accept his offer? We will have to wait and see. What is clear is that, whatever decision is made, the gesture from the native of Buin shows a strong sentiment towards Barcelona, and that, regardless of the outcome, his legacy at the Catalan club will remain untarnished and engraved in the collective imagination of the club's fans, as he managed to accumulate 75 appearances with the Barça shirt, conceding just 44 goals and keeping 43 clean sheets, establishing himself as one of the club's recent top goalkeepers.