Barcelona Strip Ter Stegen of Captaincy Amid Injury Row and Transfer Tension

 

Barcelona have temporarily stripped veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of the first-team captaincy amid rising tensions over his injury status and contract situation. The 33-year-old German goalkeeper is recovering from surgery for a multiple knee ligament injury sustained last season. The club had hoped to sell him this summer to make space in the wage bill for new arrivals, including Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.

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However, Ter Stegen’s recovery timeline clashed with Barcelona’s financial strategy. The club requested he sign a long-term medical leave, which would remove 80 percent of his wages from the books under LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play rules. But the goalkeeper instead posted on social media that he expected to be out for only three months. That public statement undermined the club’s attempt to declare him unavailable for the four months required to activate salary relief, sparking disciplinary action and leading to his removal as captain.

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Barcelona’s decision to remove Ter Stegen as captain underlines the club’s ongoing financial instability, which has plagued their ability to register new players for multiple seasons. The failed attempt to declare Ter Stegen as a long-term absentee was aimed at freeing space under the league’s strict salary cap, but his shorter recovery estimate made that impossible. With limited options, Barça have now turned to vice-captain Ronald Araujo to lead the squad.

The situation reflects wider issues behind the scenes at the club, including stalled transfers, strained player relations, and a desperate attempt to comply with financial rules. The timing is critical, as Barcelona prepare to start their LaLiga title defence on August 16 away at Mallorca. This latest internal crisis adds pressure to a squad already under scrutiny, especially with expectations high and key players still awaiting registration.

Ter Stegen’s future at the club remains uncertain, and the club's leadership faces increasing questions about long-term planning and squad harmony.