Barcelona’s goalkeeping department has undergone a significant shake-up, leaving Marc-André ter Stegen in a precarious position despite returning to full fitness. Coach Hansi Flick has made it evident that Ter Stegen must personally decide his future at the club, as Joan García has claimed the starting spot and Wojciech Szczęsny remains a reliable second-choice.
Ter Stegen, 33, has been plagued by injuries, playing just nine matches last season due to a knee injury and requiring back surgery at the beginning of the current campaign. Now fit, he faces the stark reality that he may no longer be Barcelona’s preferred goalkeeper.
In tonight’s Copa del Rey tie against Guadalajara, García will be rested ahead of Sunday’s La Liga fixture with Villarreal. Flick has yet to decide whether Ter Stegen will start or Szczęsny will continue his role between the posts. The coach has praised all three goalkeepers, stressing their importance to the team.
“Marc is an outstanding goalkeeper and a wonderful person for the team,” Flick stated at a press conference. “But the ultimate decision about his future rests with him. Joan is our number one, and Szczęsny has been brilliant, helping us win three trophies last season and providing stability when needed. He is invaluable on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
Since arriving from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014, Ter Stegen has featured in 422 games and secured 17 trophies, leaving a remarkable mark at Camp Nou. Yet, the emergence of Joan García and the consistent performance of Szczęsny have left Ter Stegen with limited opportunities, signalling a potential turning point in his Barcelona career.
With Barcelona’s domestic treble-winning legacy still fresh, the goalkeeper hierarchy has never been clearer: García first, Szczęsny second, and Ter Stegen now needing to decide whether to stay and fight or move on. The coming weeks are critical for the German, whose career at the Catalan giants may be entering its final chapter.