Barcelona captain confident of returning this season – ‘That’s my goal now’ | OneFootball

Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury earlier this season was feared as a season-ending one, especially since he ruptured a patellar tendon after a poorly timed jump.

The player was soon replaced in the squad by Wojciech Szczesny and on the field by Inaki Pena, although the Polish goalkeeper eventually replaced the Spaniard close to the midpoint of the season owing to his superior shot-stopping and experience.

Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has been working hard to shorten his deadlines and now appears to be very close to a comeback.

In fact, he even returned to training with the group earlier this week.

Ter Stegen’s optimism

Speaking to the media (h/t SPORT), Ter Stegen was asked about him possibly returning as a starter for the German national team as early as the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in June.

“Yes, sometimes we talk to the coach (Julian Nagelsmann) and he asks how the recovery is going, Oliver Bierhoff also asks how things are going,” he began, admitting his regular conversations with the coach.

“For them, it is important that I return and play games with the club. Then we will see what happens in the summer,” he added.

Confident about returning before the season is over. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

On the prospect of potentially playing for the national team as early as June, Ter Stegen remained optimistic saying:

“Of course, I would be happy if that happened. But as I said, the most important thing now is to go back and play games, and return to my best level.”

The captain was then asked about his feelings after boosting his recovery and how far down the road he felt he was at this point in the season.

“I do not doubt that I will reach that level. With my current training and how I feel physically, I think I’m on the right track.”

Finally, Ter Stegen conveyed optimism over the chance of him featuring for Barcelona in the ongoing season, possibly at some point in the closing games of the campaign.

“Yes, that’s my goal now. Come back well, participate with the team.”

“I have participated in parts of the training and the goal is to be a complete part of the team in the coming days, work hard and when I am 100% ready I will give the signal,” he added.