The decision has been made: Barcelona are giving Ter Stegen limited options!

The German goalkeeper is under a lot of pressure.

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At a pivotal crossroads in his storied career, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been presented with a stark and defining choice by the club’s coaching staff regarding his future. According to a report from Marca, the 33-year-old German international has been informed that his path forward can take only one of two directions, with a permanent sale notably off the table.

The first option is to remain at Camp Nou, but under a new and reduced role. In this scenario, ter Stegen would stay as a backup goalkeeper, a position that would come with very limited prospects for first-team minutes. The alternative—and the one that would offer the veteran the playing time he needs to contend for a spot in Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad—is a temporary departure. Barcelona is reportedly open to sending him out on a loan move, allowing him to compete elsewhere while still being contracted to the Catalan giants.

Having arrived from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014 for a fee of €12 million, ter Stegen has become a mainstay for Barça, amassing 422 appearances, 175 clean sheets, and conceding 416 goals. His current contract is set to run until 2028, and his market value is estimated by Transfermarkt at €8 million. Now, as this critical juncture arrives, the ball rests firmly in the goalkeeper’s court as he weighs his legacy, ambition, and the remaining years of his professional journey.