Former Barcelona keeper reveals club reached out to him after Ter Stegen’s injury – ‘My availability was total’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip has revealed that the club reached out to inquire about his availability following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending knee injury.

The 36-year-old, who was Valladolid’s first-choice goalkeeper until last season, confirmed that his name was considered as a possible short-term solution for Barcelona.

Masip, a product of La Masia, was part of Barcelona’s first-team squad between 2014 and 2017 before moving on to Valladolid in search of regular playing time.

Given his familiarity with the club and its playing style, a return to the Blaugrana seemed like a logical option, at least on paper. However, despite the discussions, Barcelona ultimately decided to explore other alternatives.

Barcelona established contacts

Jordi Masip played for Barcelona’s senior team between 2014 and 2017. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

According to Masip, his representatives had direct contact with someone from the club, who inquired about his situation. He made it clear that he was fully available and willing to return if the club needed him.

However, Barcelona were looking for a goalkeeper with more European experience, which he acknowledged as a decisive factor in their final decision.

“My representatives have contact with someone from the club and they asked about my situation. My availability was total for Barça.

“If I had to go there I have no problem, but I understood that they were looking for a goalkeeper with experience at the European level, which maybe I haven’t had

“I have been there for many years, they know me and I know the house, but they opted for Szczesny and now they are really playing very good games,” he stated.

Would have loved to return

Jordi Masip only played four matches for Barcelona. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)

Although Masip understood the club’s reasoning, he admitted that rejoining Barcelona would have been a dream opportunity.

Returning to the club where he started his professional journey would have been the perfect way to close the chapter on his career. Despite the disappointment, he accepted that the circumstances made the move difficult.

“I would have loved to be honest. It would have been a perfect way to close the circle, to end my career where I started and the truth is that it would have been perfect.

“But well, I understand the reasons and I know it was very complicated,” he explained.

In the end, Barcelona opted for a goalkeeper with a higher profile at the European level, focusing on someone who could immediately step into the pressure of Champions League and La Liga matches.

The club eventually settled on Wojciech Szczesny as their preferred choice, and since then, the Polish shot-stopper has delivered strong performances for the team.

Source: SPORT