David Ospina’s ongoing right-elbow problems have cast doubt over his move to Mexican club Atlante and raised the possibility that the former Arsenal goalkeeper could be forced to retire from football.
The 37-year-old Colombia international is facing a further assessment by specialists at Atlante after the injury, which dates back to his time with Al Nassr, continued to affect him.
Colombian programme Pereira En Vivo reported that Ospina is experiencing a difficult period with his new club, having suffered the original injury while playing for Al Nassr in 2023. The goalkeeper underwent surgery on his right elbow and was unavailable to the Saudi Arabian club from January until November of that year.
Atlante manager Miguel Herrera has confirmed that Ospina will be examined by specialists at the Mexican club before a decision is made on his future, according to the report.
The medical findings will determine whether Ospina can continue with the move, requires further treatment or must delay his return to competitive football. His possible retirement is also now among the issues surrounding the goalkeeper’s future.
Ospina only joined Atlante during the current summer transfer window, signing as a free agent after his contract with Colombian side Atletico Nacional came to an end.
However, Pereira En Vivo said that the goalkeeper has postponed his preparations for the new season and travelled to undergo further medical tests. The results are expected to establish whether he will complete his move to Atlante or need another period of treatment before returning to the pitch.
Ospina previously spent four years with Arsenal between 2014 and 2018, before moving to Napoli, where he remained until 2022. He then joined Al Nassr and stayed with the club until 2024.
His spell in Saudi Arabia was heavily disrupted by injury. Ospina made only 29 appearances for Al Nassr across two full seasons, conceding 21 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets.
The latest concerns mean that, despite his recent agreement with Atlante, Ospina’s immediate playing future remains unresolved. The Mexican club is expected to wait for the outcome of the specialist examinations before confirming whether he will be able to take part in its upcoming campaign.
For now, the goalkeeper’s next step depends on the condition of the elbow that first sidelined him three years ago. A further medical intervention could delay his comeback again, while the assessment will also help determine whether he can continue his career at Atlante.
