Ter Stegen and Barça’s relationship deteriorates under the added strain

Marc-André ter Stegen’s future at FC Barcelona is becoming less clear as problems rise behind the scenes. The German goalie is still healing from surgery and feels threatened by the addition of Joan García. He may soon lose his captaincy and maybe even his starting spot.

Insiders at the club are worried that the split is getting worse because they think ter Stegen is lying about how long it will take him to recover so that Barcelona can’t change the order of its goalkeepers.

In reaction, Barça did something brave. La Liga’s long-term injury procedure is being used by the club. This will let them pay 80% of ter Stegen’s salary through insurance and sign a replacement without breaking any rules about money. A full medical file with videos of the surgery and MRI pictures is being put together and should be sent within days. If LaLiga’s medical committee gives its OK, Barcelona can officially switch who plays goal, which could mean that one of their longest-serving leaders has to step down.

According to what ter Stegen said in public, the player will get better faster, but Barça’s official process shows otherwise. The club seems set on moving forward with its plan for change, and the goalie may never play the same role in the team again.