Marc-André ter Stegen is captain of FC Barcelona – but for how much longer? In the debate about the armband, players and coach Hansi Flick are shifting responsibility to each other.
Marc-André ter Stegen’s future at FC Barcelona is uncertain. After back surgery, the German national goalkeeper will be out for several months, and tensions surrounding him at the club are not easing.
The latest point of discussion: the delicate question of whether ter Stegen will wear the captain’s armband next season. The 33-year-old was appointed captain of the Catalans in the summer of 2024. However, his demotion to number three and his renewed long-term absence now raise doubts about this role.
Marc-André ter Stegen is out of favor with the bosses of FC Barcelona
Who should lead the team in the future? Head coach Hansi Flick and the players are shifting responsibility to each other.
Captain’s question divides FC Barcelona
Marca already writes of a “chaos” that awaits Barcelona after returning from the preparation tour in Asia. “The problem lies less in possible disagreements between the players than in the different preferences of the players and the club,” it continues.
With Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres, two teammates recently stood demonstrably behind ter Stegen. “For me, Marc is the captain of the team, as he was last season,” emphasized de Jong after the 7-3 victory in the test match against FC Seoul.
Torres struck a similar note: “Marc will be captain simply because of his experience and the many years he has been there.”
Will ter Stegen remain Barca captain?
But who ultimately makes the decision as to whether the German retains the armband? In recent years, there has always been an internal vote among the Barca players before the start of the season.
This year, however, the procedure seems to be faltering, as some professionals are shirking responsibility. In any case, it is a tricky situation, as ter Stegen is unlikely to play in the new season due to his absence and his status as number three.
“The question of the captain is not a question for me, but for the coach and the club,” defender Jules Koundé recently made unmistakably clear when he was asked about the topic.
Eric Garcia also expressed himself cautiously: “That is an issue that the coach will deal with. Last year there was a vote, this year I don’t know how it will be.”
Flick: “The team decides”
Hansi Flick, in turn, refers to the players. “The team always decides on the captains, as has been the case in the past. Usually two weeks before the start of the season,” explained the 60-year-old at a press conference on Wednesday.
Flick apparently consciously does not want to interfere and relies on the established procedure for the captain’s election. According to Spanish media reports, the bosses of FC Barcelona are insisting on the removal of ter Stegen as captain.
Ter Stegen had spoken of a three-month forced break. According to the regulations, a club in Spain can use 80 percent of the salary of the failed player to register other players – but only if the injured person is out for at least four months.