Barça's Goalkeeper Ter Stegen Foresees His Future Role at the Club Clearly
Kicker:Football goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of the German national team dismissed whispers about his prospective sale from FC Barcelona with a cool, resolute demeanor. "Nobody's spoken to me about it," the Barcelona veteran, whose contract stretches till 2028, stated confidently.
Things are business as usual for him at the club. "We've always had top-notch goalkeepers here. Every position in Barcelona is competitive. I'm genuinely excited for the upcoming season as we've got a youthful, energetic, and ambitious squad," ter Stegen shared during a relaxed chat at the German team's quarters in Herzogenaurach on Sunday.
No Chats with Flick: Why Not?
With Spanish media hinting at Barcelona president Joan Laporta's approval for the exit of the long-standing number one, ter Stegen's future in Catalonia has been a matter of debate. Ter Stegen was out for a sizeable chunk of last season due to a knee injury.
As for a chat with the club's new coach Hansi Flick, ter Stegen clarified, "We haven't spoken, and there's been no contact in the recent days. I'm not sure why? No pressing issue exists that requires a discussion."
As it stands, Barcelona has two goalkeepers lined up for the next season—ter Stegen and Inaki Pena (26), and the incumbent ter Stegen is game for a scrap: "I aim to present myself in the best light possible and always be on the field." The ex-Gladbach player has been with FC Barcelona for eleven years.
National Team Rebound against Portugal
In the national team, ter Stegen doesn't need to fret about his top spot, setting his sights on the 2026 World Cup. Coach Julian Nagelsmann has promised ter Stegen playing time for the upcoming Nations League final tournament despite his absence from recent games.
"It's amazing to have his support," said ter Stegen, grateful. In the semi-final on Wednesday (21:00 CET, ZDF and DAZN) against Portugal, ter Stegen is all set to make a comeback after nine months, donning his 43rd international cap.
Insights:
- Ter Stegen's future at FC Barcelona is the subject of speculation, but he believes he will remain in Barcelona next season and is excited about the team's prospects[1].
- Ter Stegen has not spoken with new coach Hansi Flick about a potential transfer and is focused on his continued role at Barcelona[1][2].
- Some reports suggest that Hansi Flick's staff may prefer Barcelona to sign Joan García, which could potentially make it difficult for ter Stegen to secure regular playing time[3]. However, as of now, ter Stegen has not initiated or been involved in any transfer talks[1][2].
[1] dazn.com[2] espn.com[3] goal.com
- Ter Stegen, the Barcelona veteran, remains optimistic about his role in the upcoming season, expressing excitement for the competitive and youthful squad in European leagues like Laliga.
- Despite rumors of his potential sale from FC Barcelona, ter Stegen has expressed that he is focused on his performance and maintaining his top spot in the team.
