FC Barcelona made an important signing back in the summer, bringing Joan Garcia to the club from Espanyol. This effectively marked the end of time for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as the Catalan club’s number one between the posts.
The German goalkeeper has gone through a sustained period of injury troubles and was out for almost the entirety of the first half of this season after undergoing surgery on his back. Now, back to full fitness, he is on the bench, deputising for Joan.
Ter Stegen needs regular football to gain match sharpness, and that is not going to happen at Barcelona. German national team sporting director Rudi Völler has now turned the pressure up on him if he wants a World Cup berth in the summer.
As quoted by [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20260112/1002600024/voeller-aumenta-presion-ter-stegen-quiere-mundial-debe-jugar.html), here is what he said:
**“Ter Stegen has to play. Especially after his injury, and also considering his history of injuries, he needs match rhythm to get back up to speed. No matter the quality he has.”**
This is a stance that the German national team, including their manager, Julian Nagelsmann, has reiterated time and again. In Ter Stegen’s absence, Hoffenheim shot-stopper Oliver Baumann has stepped up admirably for the national team.
Speaking about him, Voller said:
**“Oliver is doing incredibly well and is one hundred percent reliable.”**
With the winter transfer window open, this is a clear message to Ter Stegen to either find a new club or forget any dreams he has of making that plane to the United States. [It remains to be seen what the German shot-stopper does in the remaining weeks](https://semprebarca.com/barcelona-captain-gives-initial-green-light-to-girona-switch-report/).