Barcelona Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen Shocks Club with Dramatic Statement Reversal

Marc-André ter Stegen has been restored to his role as Barcelona captain following his decision to provide the club with access to his medical documentation.

After suffering a back injury, Ter Stegen's public declaration that he would be out for three months created considerable friction at Barcelona, as club management anticipated a four-month layoff that would allow them to exclude his salary from La Liga's wage restrictions during the season's first half.

Ter Stegen subsequently prevented Barcelona from accessing his medical files. Though legally entitled to this action, Barcelona deemed such conduct inappropriate for a club captain and removed his captaincy.

An extensive social media statement from Ter Stegen aimed to explain the circumstances, and Barcelona has now announced the matter has been settled.

"The Club confirms that player Marc-André ter Stegen has provided the required authorization for the Club to submit his surgical medical report to La Liga," stated an official club announcement.

"The disciplinary matter has been concluded and the player resumes his captaincy of the first team effective immediately."

Should Ter Stegen's medical documentation indicate a minimum four-month absence, Barcelona will be permitted to exclude his wages from their overall expenditure with La Liga for the campaign's opening half and utilize that financial room to register new acquisitions, similar to last season when Andreas Christensen's injury created space for Dani Olmo.

Barcelona face uncertainty regarding the registration of their recent signings—Joan García, Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji—along with players who have agreed to new contracts. The most pressing issue concerns the goalkeeper position, as Barcelona cannot register García's arrival or Wojciech Szczęsny's new agreement. Ter Stegen's injury leaves the unsettled Iñaki Peña as the sole senior goalkeeper available.