FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will strip Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captain’s armband on the club’s orders according to TV3, which cited anonymous sources.
The German has been Barca’s primary skipper for barely a year, and took such a title when Sergi Roberto left for Como in summer 2024.
Fast forward almost 12 months later, and the goalkeeper’s Blaugrana future is up in the air.
Surplus to requirements because of the arrival of breakout 2024/2025 La Liga star Joan Garcia from Espanyol, he has caused a stir this week by reportedly refusing to have a medical report for his latest injury sent to La Liga.
Ter Stegen took the rare step of announcing via his social media accounts that he expects to be out for three months after undergoing back surgery.
Considering its well-documented Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues, Barca needs Ter Stegen to be off the books for at least four months, as his current knock often dictates, so that it can register new signings Garcia and Marcus Rashford, who has joined the club on loan from Manchester United.
In the meantime, according to 3Cat, Barca has taken the firm decision to withdraw Ter Stegen’s captaincy while the club’s legal department is also working to find a way to legally protect the Catalans and have the report sent to them even without the shotstopper’s permission.
The player’s union, AFE, has contacted Ter Stegen to offer its support, and the Medical Commission will reportedly not send any reports regarding the World Cup 2026 hopeful without consent.
Ter Stegen has a contract until mid-2028, meaning he is under no obligation to leave the club as it would probably wish given how far he currently is down Hansi Flick’s pecking order of goalkeepers.
With Joan Garcia set to be a starter, Ter Stegen’s former German national team manager Flick appears to prefer Wojciech Szczesny as back up if Garcia needs a rest or is unavailable.
In the meantime, Ter Stegen will reportedly lose the armband previously donned by the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in recent times while at loggerheads with the club.
FC Barcelona has made this decision ahead of the Gamper
If the report is accurate, FC Barcelona has made this decision ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match, which on Sunday will be played against Como. Before Barca’s traditional season opener, the captain gives a speech. On this occasion, though, it would be wise for Ter Stegen not to bother so as to avoid a hostile reception from Culers in attendance.