Barcelona have removed Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the captaincy role in the wake of the dispute over his injury status.The decision follows the German goalkeeper’s failure to submit his medical repo...
Barcelona have removed Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the captaincy role in the wake of the dispute over his injury status.
The decision follows the German goalkeeper’s failure to submit his medical report after he underwent a back operation last month.
Barca had hoped Ter Stegen’s extended absence would allow them to register new signings, including his potential successor Joan Garcia.
While the La Liga rules deem a player to be a long-term absentee only if he is sidelined for four months, Ter Stegen announced on social media that he would be out for three months, much to Barca’s disappointment.
A statement from Barca read: “Barcelona hereby announces that, following the disciplinary proceedings opened against player Marc-André ter Stegen, and until this matter is definitively resolved, the club, by mutual agreement with the Sporting Direction and the coaching staff, has decided to temporarily withdraw his role as first-team captain.
“During this period, the duties of first captain will be assumed by the current vice-captain, Ronald Araujo.”
The latest episode further escalates Ter Stegen’s fallout with the Catalan club.
Ter Stegen has been the centre of discussion throughout this summer. Speculations continue to link him with a move away from the Catalan giants.
The Blaugrana have paid €25 million for Garcia from rivals Espanyol. Manager Hansi Flick wants to make the Spaniard the club’s first-choice keeper.
Hamstrung by their financial woes, the La Liga champions are pushing to sell Ter Stegen to generate more space in their wage bill to accommodate new signings Garcia and Marcus Rashford.
However, the German international is determined to stay put at his long-term club despite his place being put under threat.
He is said to feel betrayed by Barca due to the sudden negative propaganda against him in the media and the way the club has handled his situation.
The 33-year-old’s contract runs until 2028, and there haven’t been any concrete proposals so far from the suitors.
A devastating knee injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2024/25 season.
Barca signed Wojciech Szczesny as an emergency replacement, and the Polish shot-stopper made a great impact by leading the Catalan giants to the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
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Category: General Sports
