Seriously injured in his knee last September, the German international hopes to return to competition before the end of the season.

Since FC Barcelona brought Wojciech Szczęsny out of retirement, the debate in Catalonia has focused on who should be Hansi Flick's number one goalkeeper, with the experienced Polish keeper and Iñaki Peña as options. However, the German coach settled the discussion by choosing the former Juventus goalkeeper. This decision has proven to be a good one, as since he was given the starting role in early January, he has gained momentum along with the rest of the Catalan team. With Szczęsny in goal, the Blaugrana have gone 13 matches unbeaten and remain undefeated in 2025.

Although Wojciech Szczęsny has been widely accepted, his presence in Catalonia is only guaranteed until the end of the season, and he might not even finish it as the starter. In fact, Marc-André ter Stegen, who held the position until his serious right knee injury (patellar tendon rupture) last September against Villarreal, has not given up and is still planning to return before the current campaign ends. "We'll see, I'm working on it. I feel good," he stated during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, where he participated in a discussion on the application of technology in football as part of the Sports Tomorrow Congress organized by FC Barcelona.

Possible return against Villarreal?

His words reflect his ambition to return to competition as soon as possible. Although he has yet to rejoin the group, the former FC Barcelona captain is training individually and working on his recovery—a crucial step in regaining full physical fitness. While he will also need to reach the rhythm and demands of high-level football, Ter Stegen seems determined to play at least one more match before the season ends.

A symbolic scenario for his return could be the match against Villarreal, scheduled for the weekend of May 17-18, in LaLiga's 37th round. It would be a meaningful return, as the Catalan club also hopes to be back at their home stadium, the Camp Nou, by that time.

Meanwhile, as we wait to see if the German will succeed in his challenge by late May, Wojciech Szczęsny will be the one guarding the Blaugrana goal tomorrow night in Lisbon for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Benfica. It’s a stadium where the Polish keeper struggled during the group stage in a thrilling match that FC Barcelona eventually won 5-4. Now, this second opportunity presents itself as a great chance for redemption.