Marc-André ter Stegen is no longer untouchable at FC Barcelona. The situation with the German goalkeeper has reached a breaking point and the club has decided to act. The latest decision made by the goalkeeper has caused an earthquake within the sporting management and the coaching staff.
Everything began with his decision to withdraw from the team's Asian tour. Ter Stegen has communicated that he will undergo surgery to address his back problems. The most surprising thing is that he has announced a medical leave of exactly three months, a move that hasn't been well received at the club.
The reason for the anger isn't coincidental, In order to free up his salary for registration purposes, the leave needed to be at least four months. By limiting it to three, Barça won't be able to use that spot to register players like Joan García or Marcus Rashford. In the offices, the decision has been interpreted as a challenge.
Laporta loses patience and issues an ultimatum
Joan Laporta and his team have exploded. They believe that Ter Stegen has put his own interests ahead of the club's at a crucial moment. Tension has increased in recent hours and everything suggests that the president has taken action.
According to sources close to the club, it has been decided to strip him of the captaincy as a first disciplinary measure. Although the German has a contract until 2028, his continuity is no longer guaranteed. Barça is willing to facilitate his departure if he doesn't accept his new role in the squad.
The situation has even surprised those inside the locker room. Some key figures don't understand the standoff the goalkeeper is keeping. Others support him privately, but acknowledge that his stance is harming the group in the middle of preseason.
Flick doesn't want more distractions at the start of the season
Hansi Flick, who already knows Ter Stegen well from his time with the German national team, has shown his annoyance. The coach has conveyed that he wants to put an end to any situation that creates instability. That's why he has given the club the green light to make strong decisions.
Flick believes that the goalkeeping position needs order and absolute commitment. He can't afford to start the season with a player out of sync and in conflict with management. That's why Joan García is gaining ground to take on a more prominent role in the coming months.
The club's idea is to close this chapter as soon as possible and regain sporting focus. At Barça, they believe that these kinds of internal situations must be solved quickly and firmly. Meanwhile, in this case, Ter Stegen no longer has the full support of the club's top management.
An operation that marks a turning point
The goalkeeper's move has been interpreted as a calculated maneuver. By undergoing surgery and setting his medical leave at just three months, he blocks the club. They won't be able to free up his spot or part of his salary to register other footballers before the start of La Liga.
Barça suspects that this is a strategy to force his continuity even though he is no longer a priority. Laporta's anger has been so strong that he isn't ruling out terminating the contract or forcing his immediate departure. They're even considering leaving him out of the squad list as a pressure tactic.
Ter Stegen's future is hanging by a thread, What seemed like a return after his recovery has turned into a complete break with the club. The German has decided to keep up the standoff, but Barça has already made its move. Time will tell whether this conflict ends in reconciliation or a definitive split.
