🤔 New year, new luck? These 5 stars aim to bounce back in 2026 | OneFootball

2026 is set to be a complete success! This motto sums up all New Year's resolutions. However, the following five football stars, for whom 2025 was not a good year, likely share this wish.

Marc-André ter Stegen

The German number one had no luck at first and then real misfortune over the past twelve months. The native of Gladbach had to endure a grueling rehab until April due to a severe patellar tendon injury. At the same time, rumors intensified that Barça was planning to move forward without their current captain from the coming summer.

📸 Alex Caparros - 2025 Getty Images

And so it happened. Joan Garcia was signed from Espanyol and declared the first-choice keeper. To make matters worse, ter Stegen had to vacate his position without a fight because recurring back problems necessitated another surgery. For the World Cup starting spot, national coach Julian Nagelsmann set a clear condition for the recovering player: regular playing time at the highest possible level. Ter Stegen aims to gather this during his loan at Girona until summer, to then fly to North America with momentum.

Ronald Araújo

For Marc-André ter Stegen's long-time teammate, nothing was working lately. However, it wasn't his body that was failing, like with the German keeper, but his mind. Hansi Flick revealed, after a failed Champions League performance at the end of November, that his protégé was experiencing mental health issues.

📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors

His employer, FC Barcelona, reacted immediately and granted the defender indefinite leave in the middle of the season. On travels and surrounded by friends and family, Araujo apparently quickly recharged his mental batteries. Because shortly before the turn of the year, Barça's vice-captain returned to training. Hopefully, he can play more freely again in 2026.

Jamal Musiala

During the Club World Cup last summer, the Munich-based player suffered a fibula fracture that was painful to watch. A months-long break followed, but just in time for the start of the World Cup year, the comeback of the gifted dribbler is within reach.

"This will be a positive story for us in 2026. For now, it was great for his feeling, and from next year we can expect a lot from Jamal," promised Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in a media round before the turn of the year. Musiala himself will surely wish for this too!

Neymar Jr.

Yep, he's still around. The Brazilian maestro is currently sidelined by an injury, but his situation is far more precarious than Musiala's. So why is he still listed here? Because despite the worst prospects, the Brazilian is firmly convinced that he will make a breakthrough in the new year.

📸 MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL - AFP or licensors

The 33-year-old underwent knee surgery again in December, and whether he will be fit in time for the World Cup is highly questionable. And even if he is: due to ongoing injury problems, his last international match dates back to October 2023. Nevertheless, he announced something big on 'X': "If we reach the [World Cup] final... I promise I will score a goal." We are intrigued!

Omar Marmoush

The City debut season of the former Frankfurt player was actually decent. Marmoush managed nine scorer points in 16 Premier League appearances. However, a crucial missed shot cast a dark shadow. In the FA Cup final, the Egyptian missed a penalty, leading to Crystal Palace's 1-0 victory.

Whether Marmoush fell out of favor with Pep Guardiola because of this is not documented. The fact is, the 26-year-old has so far mostly only had short appearances this season and remains without a personal goal at the club level. In the new year, things can almost only get better, perhaps directly with a title win at the Africa Cup?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Mauro Horita - 2025 Getty Images