Berlin The applause from the supporters and his coach’s vote of confidence may have coincided with Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s return to the German national squad for the UEFA Nations League Finals.

Warm cheers erupted from the stands as the 33-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper onto the field for a public training session in Herzogenaurach, indicating the supporters’ intense excitement for his comeback after an eight-month injury layoff, according to Xinhua.

“Our undisputed number one” is how Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of the German national team, described the 42-time capped player.

After suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in September 2024, Ter Stegen has had a grueling recuperation ahead of Germany’s semifinal matchup with Portugal in Munich next Wednesday.

Nagelsmann said, “I am certain he is going to deliver two top games.” “He doesn’t need a frequent playing rhythm as he is in an advanced age due to his experience.”

According to reports, he had a long phone conversation with his predecessor on the German coaching position, Hansi Flick of Barcelona.

Nagelsmann said, “We talked about Marc’s way back and his current perfect shape,” but he did not address the goalie’s future.

According to reports, Barca president Joan Laporta has decided to switch goalkeepers after hearing about 24-year-old Joan Garcia from Espanyol catching Barca’s eye.

In 2028, Ter Stegen’s current contract will come to an end. Wojciech Szczesny, 35, stood between the posts in the Copa del Rey final and La Liga title-deciding games, but he only played two games after returning to team training.

The German coach said, “He hasn’t played a lot of games lately, but there is no doubt that he is at a top level.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is only a year away, thus switching clubs may provide further difficulties for him.