Barcelona’s veteran goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, might make his long-awaited return to action against Real Valladolid in La Liga this weekend, following a seven-month recovery period.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper has been sidelined since September 2024, when he suffered a patellar tendon rupture during a La Liga match against Villarreal. The injury required surgery, and for a while, it seemed uncertain whether the Barcelona captain would be able to play again this season. However, after months of intense rehabilitation, ter Stegen returned to training earlier this month.

Ter Stegen Returns to Training and Is Medically Cleared

Recently, ter Stegen received his medical clearance and was included in the squad for Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. His return to action has been highly anticipated, with the German shot-stopper working tirelessly to regain fitness.

Will Ter Stegen Feature Against Real Valladolid?

As Barcelona prepares for its upcoming La Liga match against Real Valladolid, there is a possibility that ter Stegen could feature in the starting lineup. According to reports from Toni Juanmarti, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will continue as the goalkeeper for the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.

However, Flick left open the possibility of making changes in La Liga, suggesting that ter Stegen could be introduced for domestic competition.

Flick’s Rotation Plans for La Liga and the Champions League

Flick explained that while Szczesny will remain in goal for the Champions League, there could be changes in the league lineup. “Ter Stegen will play in the Champions League, and maybe we change in La Liga. We will see that later, but Szczesny will play in the Champions League,” Flick said.

This opens up the door for ter Stegen to return in La Liga, especially considering Barcelona’s rotation plans for the upcoming matches, including the crucial second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan next week.

A Big Opportunity for Ter Stegen to Reclaim His Spot

Although the La Liga title is not yet secured, Flick is likely to make significant rotations for the weekend match. This could provide an opportunity for ter Stegen to reclaim his starting spot in La Liga, marking a triumphant return after more than seven months away from competitive action.