Who are you kidding? Ter Stegen is leaving
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 15.08.25. | 11:43
Just when we thought the Ter Stegen–Barcelona saga was over… well, not quite
The drama surrounding Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona is far from over.
After months of tension, there seemed to be a brief moment of calm. Following a very public clash, the German goalkeeper was officially reinstated as captain and addressed Barca fans with conciliatory words.
But any hope of a tidy ending now appears slim. According to Catalan outlet El Nacional, Ter Stegen has agreed to leave the club in January. Reports say Barca president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have assured him he can depart in January 2026 without a transfer fee. The German is reportedly on board with the move, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Ter Stegen still has a contract running until 2028 and earns up to 18 million euros, making him one of the club’s highest-paid players. Yet he wouldn’t be the first high-earner the financially stretched Catalans have sought to offload. After back surgery, he initially refused to sign the medical report required to have the injury officially recognized by the league, prompting the club to threaten disciplinary action. Eventually, Ter Stegen relented and signed.
Barcelona, however, claimed a tactical win. The league officially classified his back issue as a long-term injury, allowing the club to save 80 percent of his salary and giving his replacement, Joan Garcia, the green light to start in the season opener against Mallorca on August 16.
📁 @ffpolo 🤝 @JoanPoquiEraso
— Barca Xtra (@BarcaXtr) August 15, 2025
❗ Barcelona sources report that the club can use 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary to register new players, as his recovery is expected to take at least five months. This means Joan García would be registered for the entire season. pic.twitter.com/uHZDK8Tfjc
Speaking at the stadium recently, Ter Stegen reflected: "Personally, I think it was important to settle the dispute between me and the club – and now it's time to look forward."
Yet the big question lingers: can Ter Stegen and Barcelona truly look forward to a shared future, or is this farewell already inevitable?
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 1
Friday
20.00: (2.35) Girona (3.35) Rayo Vallecano (3.30)
22.30: (1.40) Villareal (4.80) Oviedo (9.50)
Saturday
20.30: (6.75) Mallorca (4.40) Barcelona (1.47)
22.30: (2.20) Alaves (3.20) Levante (3.80)
22.30: (2.75) Valencia (2.95) Sociedad (2.85)
Sunday
18.00: (1.75) Celta (3.60) Getafe (5.70)
20.30: (1.62) Ath.Bilbao (3.70) Sevilla (6.00)
22.30: (6.25) Espanyol (3.60) Atl.Madrid (1.62)
Monday
22.00: (3.50) Elche (3.35) Betis (2.25)
Tuesday
22.00: (1.28) Real Madrid (5.70) Osasuna (10.5)
***odds are subject to change***
