The football world is buzzing with anticipation for the Copa del Rey final on April 26, 2025, where FC Barcelona will face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a highly anticipated El Clásico. One question on every Barcelona fan’s mind is: Will Marc-André ter Stegen start in goal? The German goalkeeper, who has been sidelined for most of the season due to a serious knee injury, has made a remarkable recovery, but his starting position is far from guaranteed.
Ter Stegen’s Road to Recovery
Marc-André ter Stegen, Barcelona’s captain and first-choice goalkeeper, suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee during a LaLiga match against Villarreal in September 2024. Initially, the injury was expected to rule him out for the entire 2024-25 season. However, Ter Stegen’s rehabilitation has progressed faster than anticipated, with the 32-year-old returning to full training in March 2025.
According to multiple reports, including updates from FC Barcelona’s official website and ESPN, Ter Stegen has been declared fully fit and included in the squad for the Copa del Rey final in Seville. His inclusion is a testament to his dedication and the expertise of Barcelona’s medical staff.
Will Ter Stegen Start Against Real Madrid?
Despite his recovery, it is unlikely that Ter Stegen will start in the Copa del Rey final. Barcelona’s current goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, has been in exceptional form since joining the club in January 2025. The former Arsenal and Juventus stopper stepped out of retirement to fill the void left by Ter Stegen and has kept 13 clean sheets in 25 appearances this season, boasting a save percentage of 68.83%.
