Barcelona will be able to use 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary to register Joan Garcia with five-month absence expected

According to information from Que T’hi Jugues, sources at FC Barcelona have confirmed that La Liga has officially determined Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s absence to be five months. 

This confirmation comes after the league approved the medical documentation provided by the club, a decision that now allows Barcelona to register Joan Garcia ahead of their La Liga opener against Mallorca.

The journey to this resolution has been far from straightforward. 

Ter Stegen initially suggested a recovery timeline of around three months, while Barcelona argued for four months, the minimum duration required by league regulations to classify an injury as a long-term absence. 

Meeting that threshold grants clubs the ability to use 80% of the injured player’s salary to register a replacement, in this case, Garcia.

What do the rules say?

Notably, La Liga’s financial rules introduce an important nuance. 

Barcelona will be able to register Joan Garcia. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

As stated in the updated “Club and SAD Budgeting Rules” of June 19, 2025, a club can only benefit from the full 80% relief if the league’s Medical Committee determines the player’s absence will last more than five months. 

Anything under that limit, such as a four-month injury, would see the relief amount halved to 40%, significantly reducing financial flexibility.

With Ter Stegen now officially ruled out for five months, Barcelona qualifies for the maximum relief. 

This decision provides the club with a more comfortable wage margin, ensuring that Garcia’s registration can be completed without the complications that a shorter timeline would have caused.

While the approval clears the way for Garcia to be available against Mallorca, it also highlights how crucial injury duration estimates are within La Liga’s strict financial framework. 

For Barcelona, this ruling offers both immediate squad reinforcement and a valuable boost in salary cap space, which is a welcome advantage as they navigate the early stages of the season.