Barcelona captain could receive medical green light next week after long absence | OneFootball

FC Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen has not played a single minute of football this season, having suffered an injury in the summer which required him to undergo surgery.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has spent more than four months out on the sidelines now, working hard on his recovery and rehabilitation.

Last week, Ter Stegen finally resumed training with the rest of the group in what was a big step for the veteran shot-stopper.

Medical clearance for Ter Stegen next week

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Ter Stegen’s return is getting closer and closer, with a green light from the medical department likely to arrive next week.

The Barcelona captain has now completed several training sessions in which he has taken part in some of the group work, and he is showing very positive progress with no sign of the back pain that forced him to undergo surgery in July.

Getting closer to his return. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

With more than four months since the operation, Ter Stegen is in the final stretch of his rehabilitation, and Thursday’s training session included a significant detail that hints at his return.

Unlike the usual routine, Hansi Flick did not call up any goalkeepers from the reserve team for the session to prepare for the match against Real Betis.

Instead, only Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny and Ter Stegen took part, with the German working at a lower intensity than his fellow goalkeepers.

Despite this, Ter Stegen is not expected to receive medical clearance for Saturday’s match against Real Betis, but he could be given the green light by the medical staff next week to rejoin the squad list.

Even as Ter Stegen nears his return, the 33-year-old German international’s future remains uncertain ahead of the January window, with Barcelona director Deco leaving the door open for his exit.