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Ter Stegen faces the risk of being dropped from Barcelona. |
There was a time when mentioning Barcelona's goalpost immediately brought to mind Marc-Andre ter Stegen – the cool, steady goalkeeper, a symbol of the post-Victor Valdes generation. He arrived at Camp Nou at a very young age, played a major role in the 2014/15 Champions League campaign, and gradually became the unsung leader of the defense.
From glamour to untouchable privilege
But after almost a decade, that position is now severely shaken. Not because of a single momentary mistake, but because of a long series of setbacks, conservatism, and ultimately, the "turning away" of the very club that once placed its complete trust in him.
Joan Garcia – a €26.3 million signing – is not simply a move to add depth. It's the clearest sign that Ter Stegen's reign in goal at Barca is reaching its limit. And that downward spiral, in fact, has been brewing for a long time.
Following the 2015 Champions League victory, Ter Stegen automatically became the club's number one goalkeeper. His rivals, such as Bravo, Cillessen, Neto, and later Iñaki Peña, were successively sidelined. He was the "chosen one," placed in an untouchable position for many years – even though his performance didn't always live up to that trust.
The humiliating defeats in the Champions League – from Roma 2018, Anfield 2019, to the 2-8 thrashing by Bayern – all involved Ter Stegen in goal. But strangely, there has never been a truly serious internal debate about his role.
Even after undergoing two knee surgeries and experiencing a noticeable decline in form, Ter Stegen remained the starting goalkeeper. He was once hailed as one of the five best goalkeepers in the world – despite being unable to compete for the starting spot in the German national team, even when Neuer was sidelined with a long-term injury.
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Ter Stegen is no longer the number one goalkeeper at Barca. |
That protective shield began to crack when Hansi Flick and Deco arrived at Camp Nou. After his third back surgery, Ter Stegen returned towards the end of the 2024/25 season and… quickly proved disappointing.
From the clumsy handling that led to the goal conceded against Valencia, to the direct mistake that caused Eric Garcia's red card at Monaco, Ter Stegen has not only declined professionally but also failed to show the sense of responsibility commensurate with the captain's armband he wears.
“We don’t understand each other. I feel sorry for Eric,” he said—a surprisingly cold response.
Then there's the story of Ter Stegen refusing to travel with the team to Milan for the Champions League semi-final after learning he wouldn't be registered to play, even though other injured players were included. Or the story of him subtly pressuring manager Flick, demanding to be a starter in important matches. These are small details, but when they "leaked" out – especially in a context where the club is no longer actively protecting him – Ter Stegen's image is immediately tarnished in the eyes of the public.
Quietly in the changing room
Ter Stegen's tough stance isn't new. In 2016, he threatened to leave if the club didn't sell Bravo. "I want to be the absolute number one," the German goalkeeper frankly admitted in a podcast. That determination helped him secure his position, but it also meant his relationship with the club's veteran players like Messi, Pique, Busquets, and Neymar was never truly close.
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Ter Stegen may have to leave Barca. |
Even his current captaincy doesn't come from collective trust, but simply because... he's the most senior player on the team. It's not hard to understand why, during turbulent times, Ter Stegen seems unable to be a source of moral support or represent the voice of the entire team.
Perhaps the most bitter truth is that Ter Stegen himself is beginning to realize, after almost 10 years wearing the Barca shirt, that he has no "legendary night" to remember. Unlike Zubizarreta in Turin, Valdes in Saint-Denis, or Stekelenburg of Ajax years ago. What he has are wins in La Liga, the Zamora Trophy in the 2022/23 season - but completely lacks the Champions League, the stage that defines great goalkeepers.
Barca has changed. They are no longer avoiding the truth. From absolute protection, the club now lets him face the public scrutiny, releasing even behind-the-scenes details that were previously kept secret. Ter Stegen himself faces two choices: leave to find a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America, or stay and compete with Joan Garcia. But looking at how both the club and the fans are turning their backs on him, perhaps the first option is closer.
From "steel shield" to "exposed symbol," Ter Stegen's downfall was no surprise – it was simply the consequence of a silence that lasted far too long.
Source: https://znews.vn/ter-stegen-sup-do-post1562572.html
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