Marc-André ter Stegen has once again turned to surgery, but this time with a completely personal script. Without Barça's medical support or any executives nearby, he has flown to Bordeaux to undergo surgery in absolute discretion. The choice of Dr. Leglise is no coincidence: the goalkeeper is seeking privacy and zero interference.
Those close to him are clear about it: he doesn't want leaks, he doesn't want pressure, and above all he doesn't want interpretations. He has lived through too many episodes where he has felt exposed and misunderstood, and this time he isn't willing to repeat mistakes. At Barça, however, the goalkeeper's silence hasn't gone over well at all.
Ter Stegen in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona_es
Barça's plan, dismantled
The club had designed a key move around his prolonged absence: registering Joan García due to a long-term injury. But for that, they needed a medical report certifying a minimum four-month (4 months) absence, something that now seems unlikely. Ter Stegen wants to return in just eight weeks (8 weeks) and he won't agree to delay his comeback artificially.
The sporting management was counting on his understanding, especially considering the need to strengthen the goalkeeping position. With Iñaki Peña alone, the planning was incomplete and Flick definitely wanted another available goalkeeper. Joan García, signed from Espanyol, was the chosen one and only needed a spot for his registration.
That spot depended on Ter Stegen and his medical leave. But the player has decided not to play that game, to prioritize his own schedule. The operation in France has completely altered the balance the club was trying to keep at the start of the season.
Ter Stegen | @mterstegen1
Internal unrest and renewed doubts
The distance between the club and the goalkeeper isn't new, but this episode reopens wounds that never fully healed. Even during Xavi's tenure, tensions arose with the medical staff over various treatments. Now, with Flick in charge, the sense of rupture is present again.
The German coach keeps a good relationship with his compatriot, but he has found himself caught between two very different fronts. On one hand, he needs time and reinforcements to start the season with guarantees. On the other hand, he sees his star goalkeeper decide to operate on his own and not align his recovery with the collective interests.
The topic is starting to be discussed in the locker room, although for now caution prevails. Some teammates understand Ter Stegen's decision, others are concerned about the message it sends to the group. The truth is that the standoff between the German and the club is already evident.
Marc André Ter Stegen | @FCBarcelona
Laporta, at an unexpected crossroads
Joan Laporta was hoping to take advantage of the medical situation to register Joan García as soon as possible. But now he must look for legal alternatives if he wants to keep him on the roster from the start. With the salary restrictions imposed by LaLiga, the move won't be easy.
Finding another absence, a loan, or even a contract termination would be the only way to register the young goalkeeper. But that would mean painful decisions just days before the transfer window closes. Everything that was under control is now on shaky ground due to an apparently simple surgical operation.
There is disappointment at Barça. Not so much because of Ter Stegen's desire to recover quickly, but because of how he has handled it. The lack of communication with the medical staff and his closed circle doesn't fit with what was expected from the offices.
Joan García | @__joangarcia
Dr. Leglise trusts she can have Ter Stegen ready in a couple of months (2 months) if everything goes well. The German would return to training in October, right in the middle of the Champions League group stage. But at the club, they don't know if that will be a solution or a new headache.
Joan García, meanwhile, is waiting for news without knowing if he'll be able to debut at Camp Nou at the start of the season. His registration is ready to be activated, but the scenario has completely changed after the starting goalkeeper's decision. The tension keeps rising with every passing hour.
Barça's goal, which seemed like a settled position, has once again become a source of uncertainty. All because of an operation, a personal decision, and a recovery that doesn't fit with the club's plans. For now, no one dares to take the next step.
