Barcelona appears to be on the verge of another behind-the-scenes crisis, this time involving one of the team’s most sensitive positions. Between the management’s calculations, the vision of the technical staff led by Hansi Flick, and the ambitions of the players, a clash is beginning to emerge that could significantly impact the team’s stability next season.
The reason? A joint technical and administrative decision to push for a comprehensive overhaul of the goalkeeper position has placed the club’s former first-choice goalkeeper in a complicated situation — especially following his return from a long-term injury and with less than two years remaining before the next World Cup. With the arrival of new players and increased competition for the spot, options are narrowing, and confrontation seems inevitable.
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According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, a real crisis is looming within Barcelona, which could escalate into something resembling an “internal war” between the club and its German goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, who feels that he has not been treated as he deserves by the management, despite being the team’s captain and former first-choice goalkeeper.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching and a strong desire to return to top form after his long absence due to injury, Ter Stegen has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the club’s recent decisions, which he believes undermine his stature and role.
One of the main sources of tension is the arrival of young goalkeeper Juan García from Espanyol, who made it a condition of his transfer to Barcelona that he be named the starting goalkeeper. For the club, the deal was seen as an opportunity not to be missed — García is talented, young, Catalan, and, most importantly, low-cost.
This move was interpreted as an implicit message from Barcelona that Ter Stegen would not be the starting goalkeeper next season — a development that angered the German shot-stopper.
Coach Hansi Flick’s role in the tension was not secondary. As reported by Sport, there is no clear understanding between him and Ter Stegen. During the German goalkeeper’s absence, Wojciech Szczęsny was given an initial opportunity with the team and performed well enough that the club is now considering extending his contract.
Although Szczęsny was initially open to playing a backup role behind Ter Stegen, the recent arrival of Juan García has shifted the dynamics. According to sources close to the club, Barcelona does not see both players as compatible — as each wants to be the starter.
With a move to Saudi Arabia already ruled out, Ter Stegen is now seeking a new club where he can secure regular playing time, especially with his sights set on maintaining a starting spot with the German national team ahead of the next World Cup. Although Barcelona would prefer to part ways amicably, Ter Stegen insists on receiving the full value of the remaining three years of his contract if the club decides to terminate his stay.
The coming days are likely to bring tough decisions for Joan Laporta’s administration, amid growing pressure to rejuvenate the squad, stabilize the club’s finances, and preserve harmony in the dressing room — all while respecting the legacy of some of the team’s most iconic figures.
