Marc-Andre ter Stegen was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2014-15 Champions League victory.
In a dramatic turnaround, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been reinstated as Barcelona’s captain, and disciplinary proceedings against him have been dropped.
The German goalkeeper had been stripped of the captaincy on Thursday due to a dispute surrounding his decision to undergo back surgery in July.
Reports suggested that Barcelona could have cleared 80% of his wages until mid-season if the 33-year-old was classified as a long-term absentee, thereby freeing up funds to register new players.
However, Ter Stegen recently stated on social media that he would be sidelined for three months, while La Liga rules require a player to be out for at least four months to be considered a long-term absentee.
He was also reportedly, external hesitant to allow Barcelona to share his medical data with La Liga.
Barcelona has now stated that Ter Stegen has signed the necessary forms, authorizing them to send the medical report.
In a social media post on Friday, the goalkeeper affirmed his “full willingness to collaborate with the club’s management to resolve this matter and to provide the requested authorization.”
Ter Stegen added that the suggestion his injury absence was being used as a tool for Barcelona to register new players was “both unfair and inaccurate.”
“I would also like to clarify that all of the club’s signings and contract renewals were completed prior to my surgery,” he stated.
“At no point could I consider that my unfortunate circumstances with the new surgery I had to undergo would be necessary for the registration of other colleagues whom I greatly respect and look forward to share [a] locker room with for many seasons.”
“I understand that difficult moments can generate tension, but I trust that, through dialogue and responsibility, we can resolve this situation constructively.”
The La Liga champions’ summer acquisitions included goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol and England striker Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
Since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014, Ter Stegen has made over 400 appearances for Barcelona, winning the Champions League and six La Liga titles.
Hansi Flick was appointed Barcelona boss in the summer of 2024.
Manager Hansi Flick will be absent from Barcelona’s first Champions League match of the season due to a sanction from Uefa for misconduct.
The European governing body’s disciplinary committee has imposed a one-match ban and a £17,000 fine on the German coach.
Flick was critical of several refereeing decisions during Barcelona’s 4-3 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Inter Milan in May, which resulted in a 7-6 aggregate loss for the Spanish club.
His assistant, Marcus Sorg, has received the same punishment.
The Champions League’s opening round is scheduled for September 16-18.
Flick, formerly with Bayern Munich and the German national team, was appointed as Barcelona’s manager in June 2024 and led the team to victory in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his inaugural season.
In a separate decision, Barcelona forwards Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have each been fined £4,300 for failing to comply with instructions from an anti-doping officer and not immediately reporting to a control post at the same game.
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