Barcelona captain’s future remains a complete mystery despite recovery progress | OneFootball

Injuries have been a persistent concern for FC Barcelona this season, and several key players are still recovering. Among them, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s case stands out not only for its sporting implications but also for the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at the club.

The German goalkeeper underwent back surgery in July, his second operation to address recurring lumbar issues. His recovery has been progressing steadily, and he is expected to regain full fitness around January. However, according to AS, uncertainty remains over what the future holds once he becomes available again.

Tensions arose earlier in the season after Ter Stegen reportedly insisted that he would only be sidelined for three months. The club interpreted this as a move to avoid being registered as a long-term absentee, which would have allowed them to register Joan Garcia.

Matters worsened when the goalkeeper initially refused to share his medical report with La Liga, prompting Barcelona to open a disciplinary file and temporarily strip him of the captaincy.

Fortunately, the conflict was resolved ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy, when Ter Stegen addressed the situation publicly, agreed to provide the necessary medical documentation, and regained the armband.

Despite the reconciliation, his position within the team remains complicated. Joan Garcia has firmly established himself as the starting goalkeeper and has the full backing of both sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick.

While Ter Stegen is determined to compete for his place, Barcelona would have no objections to keeping him as a backup until the end of the season, provided he accepts that role.

However, remaining a substitute presents a major dilemma for the 33-year-old. His ultimate ambition is to represent Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which could be his final opportunity to serve as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

To convince Julian Nagelsmann and his coaching staff, he will need regular playing time, something that may not be guaranteed at Barcelona.

For now, both the player and the club are taking a cautious approach, planning to reassess the situation next summer. Yet one thing is clear: unless Ter Stegen can secure regular minutes, his dream of leading Germany at the World Cup could be in jeopardy.