German NT director sets clear condition for Ter Stegen’s World Cup hopes amid Barcelona limbo | OneFootball

Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen saw the prime of his career wasted on the sidelines of the German national team as he perpetually served as a backup option to Manuel Neuer.

The upcoming edition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thus, has largely been seen as his chance to shine with the veteran legend now retired.

Unfortunately, however, Ter Stegen himself is just recovering from a long-term injury and has barely played so far this season.

Joan Garcia’s arrival in the summer and form, moreover, make it all the more complicated for him to see minutes in Catalonia and force a possible departure.

The national team’s stance

In a recent interview (h/t SPORT), German national team sporting director Rudi Voller opened up on Ter Stegen’s situation and made it clear that the player has to have regular minutes and be match-fit if he is to start for Germany in the FIFA World Cup.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s still in Barcelona or somewhere else, in the end he has to play. And then we will all be happy for him if, after many years as a world-class goalkeeper in the shadow of Manuel Neuer, he has the opportunity to be under sticks in a World Cup.”

Will Ter Stegen leave Barcelona in January? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The director then revealed that Ter Stegen is aware of the national team’s stance and that he is in constant contact with the national goalkeeping coach.

“Marc has been in very close contact with our goalkeeper coach Andreas Kronenberg for months,” he confirmed.

Finally, Voller revealed that the manager Julian Nagelsmann is still undecided over who will start in goal for Germany and that a lot will depend on how the Barcelona star’s situation evolves.

“Maybe that he is still a little open, because much depends on Marc-Andre and what happens with him. Oliver Baumann is doing wonderfully so far, but there is Marc’s option and you have to be attentive,” he concluded.