Injured Barcelona star intent on playing Champions League final amid positive fitness update | OneFootball

Barcelona’s captain and star goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, has been sidelined since September due to a serious patellar tendon injury.

The German shot-stopper’s absence has been a significant blow to the Blaugrana, with the team relying on new signing Wojciech Szczesny to fill the void.

The Pole has done an outstanding job in his absence and is currently unbeaten as a Barcelona shot-stopper.

Ter Stegen closing in on full fitness

However, recent updates suggest Ter Stegen could soon return to full fitness as the German is enjoying a quick recovery.

Ter Stegen’s rehabilitation has progressed faster than expected, with the goalkeeper resuming on-pitch training with gloves over a month ago, reports Diario SPORT.

It appears the German could rejoin full team training in approximately three weeks, potentially paving the way for a mid-April return.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen wants to play this season. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

This timeline would allow him to regain match fitness in La Liga before the decisive stages of the season.

Ter Stegen wants to play UCL final

The big news, however, is Ter Stegen’s ambition to emulate Courtois by featuring in the Champions League final, should Barcelona advance that far.

Yet, there’s a catch: UEFA regulations complicate his reinstatement. Barcelona unregistered Ter Stegen from their Champions League squad to accommodate Szczesny.

Reversing this move would require dropping the Polish goalkeeper, who has won over fans with his stellar performances.

Hence, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona approach this dilemma as ter Stegen eventually returns to full fitness.

There is a substantial chance that the Catalans will continue with Szczesny in goal even after the return of ter Stegen.