‘They called my agent’… Former Real Madrid goalkeeper reveals how Barcelona got in touch with him to replace Ter Stegen | OneFootball

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face off in a crunch Copa del Rey final tomorrow on Saturday, and without any doubt, this is going to be one of the most important games of the season for both teams.

The Blaugranes have already announced the squad for this game, and one of the most notable changes in this list over the one for the Mallorca game was the inclusion of Marc Andre Ter Stegen, who returns to availability after seven months on the sidelines.

However, Wojciech Szczesny is still expected to start the upcoming cup final, and also most of the games till the end of this season, as the German will still need some time to get back to his best level.

Thus, a goalkeeper whom not even the most imaginative fans would have imagined to be playing for their side at the start of the season, will be protecting the Barcelona goal in the most important games.

Wojciech Szczesny [Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images]

Szczesny arrived at the Catalan at the start of October, but he was not the only goalkeeper the Blaugranes contacted to replace the injured German at that time. Another such option that they checked out was the former Real Madrid goalie Keylor Navas, who is currently playing for Newell’s Old Boys.

As Diario AS has reported, the Costa Rican shot-stopper appeared in an interview and talked about how Barcelona contacted his agent and why he did not want to join them:

“I’m wearing white, you see. My name was being mentioned here and there, but it’s always complicated. They called my agent. You take things as they come, and football is a job. In my case, I saw it as something nice—the team that used to be a rival considered me an option. It’s something to be grateful for, I took it as a compliment.”

“These are things that can happen in football… If instead of Barça, Florentino calls me, I’ll swim there if I have to.“

The former Merengue also commented on Szczesny’s performances for Barcelona

“You don’t forget how to make saves—it all depends on how patient the team is willing to be in giving you the opportunity.”

Navas also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Copa final between Barcelona and Real Madrid:

There is certainly some truth in Keylor Navas’ words about form, and the unpredictability of the match makes it even more exciting. Hopefully, the two teams will put on a show for the spectators.