Dramatic shift observed in the ongoing feud between the two sports clubs
Marc-André ter Stegen, the German national goalkeeper, has put an end to his dispute with FC Barcelona after signing the required medical authorization. This move allows the club to share his injury report with LaLiga, resolving the conflict that arose from Ter Stegen's initial refusal to authorize the sharing of his medical details.
The conflict escalated due to Ter Stegen's reported refusal to allow the club to forward his injury report to the league's medical commission. This prevented Barcelona from classifying him as a long-term injury case under LaLiga rules, which would have enabled the club to free up at least 50% of Ter Stegen's salary for registration purposes under LaLiga's financial fair play allowance for injured players.
Ter Stegen, who recently underwent another back operation and expects a three-month absence, had been waiting behind Manuel Neuer to be the number one for the German national team. However, with the resolution of this dispute, he is once again in contention for the position, as his health and performance at his club will determine his status for the 2026 World Cup.
In a recent statement, Ter Stegen expressed his feelings of misunderstanding about the conflict and emphasized his deep affection for Barcelona, the city, and the fans. He also clarified that some of the things said about him were completely unfounded.
With Ter Stegen's agreement, Barcelona was able to register new players, such as goalkeeper Joan García for their league opener. The club is also preparing financial guarantees to register other new signings, including Marcus Rashford. Ter Stegen publicly stated his willingness to collaborate and emphasized that all the club’s recent signings and his surgery decision were done with mutual understanding focused on his long-term health and the club’s success.
References:
[1] BBC Sport. (2022). Ter Stegen signs medical authorisation to end Barcelona dispute. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61761114
[2] Marca. (2022). Ter Stegen signs medical authorisation to end Barcelona dispute. [online] Available at: https://www.marca.com/en/football/barca/2022/08/03/62e641712651e233478b463d.html
[3] ESPN. (2022). Barcelona to register new signings after Ter Stegen dispute resolution. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/football/barcelona/story/4541786/barcelona-to-register-new-signings-after-ter-stegen-dispute-resolution
[4] Goal.com. (2022). Ter Stegen signs medical authorisation to end Barcelona dispute. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/ter-stegen-signs-medical-authorisation-to-end-barcelona-dispute/blt267f32d6b965257c
In light of Ter Stegen's agreement to share his medical records with LaLiga, the ongoing dispute with FC Barcelona has been resolved, allowing the club to register new players such as goalkeeper Joan García. With this resolution, Ter Stegen can focus on his recovery and potential return to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup. Despite the conflict, Ter Stegen's commitment to the club remains unwavering, as evidenced by his willingness to collaborate with Barcelona for his long-term health and the club's success. His participation in European leagues and football sports places him in a competitive position for the national team.
