Marc-André ter Stegen: A fixture under Nagelsmann, questioned by Flick

Marc-André ter Stegen certainly couldn't have imagined his 33rd year being any more pleasant. No sooner had the goalkeeper been promoted to the top of the German football goalkeeping team by national coach Julian Nagelsmann after twelve years of patiently waiting in Manuel Neuer's shadow than he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon. The FC Barcelona captain was sidelined for nine months, from September 2024 to May 2025.

In the meantime, the father of two young sons announced his separation from his wife via Instagram. And barely has he reported himself fit enough to play again, there are persistent whispers that his employer is preparing for the goalkeeper's departure. Marc-André ter Stegen is probably feeling like Sisyphus of old. He's barely climbed a slope before he's back down again.

Wojciech Szczesny extends his contract with FC Barcelona

On Wednesday in the Nations League semifinal against Portugal (9 p.m./ZDF), the Mönchengladbach native will once again take over the number one spot from Oliver Baumann, at least for his country. Julian Nagelsmann left no doubt about this, explaining: "Marc is at an age where he doesn't need this mega-rhythm."

Apparently, the trust his home country has in ter Stegen is greater than that of the club, for which he has not only held up the ball for eleven years but also initiated attacks with his delicate footwork. The usually well-informed Spanish media reports that Barça is strongly interested in Joan Garcia, 24, from city rivals Espanyol.

In addition, 84-time Polish international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 35, whom the Spanish champions signed until the end of the season after ter Stegen's injury, has just extended his contract by two years. Szczesny was so convincing that ter Stegen was not used in decisive matches even after his recovery.

Striving for serenity

It would certainly be interesting to know what Barça head coach Hansi Flick recently told his successor Nagelsmann on the phone. If Nagelsmann is to be believed, the topic of ter Stegen's future, with a contract until 2028, was completely ignored: "Not my area of ​​expertise."

The goalkeeper himself answered the pressing questions of the German press on Sunday after the morning training session in Herzogenaurach. He visibly tried to remain calm: "Barça is one of the biggest clubs in the world. There's bound to be competition."

After 42 appearances for the German national team, however, such a competitive situation is thankfully over. Ter Stegen hears words from Nagelsmann that he doesn't hear from Flick. Words of support that are important to him: "The support is spectacular." The hierarchy is just as firmly cemented with ter Stegen as number one as it was previously with him as number two.

He never made a fuss about it, even when goalkeeper Neuer returned from long-term injuries before the 2018 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship and was immediately preferred again. His deputy showed team spirit, saying before the European Championship at home: "I respect and accept the decision, even if I don't agree."

Praise from the athletic trainer

It's unlikely that he would take a demotion at the club with such sobriety. He hasn't spoken recently with Flick, with whom he reportedly has a professional relationship at best. "I don't know why either." He is certain "that I'll be in Barcelona next year and I'm extremely excited about the season."

How much truth there is to these words remains to be seen. According to his own statement, Ter Stegen believes he's physically at least as good as he was before the injury.

He declined the DFB's limousine service for the press conference, preferring to cycle two kilometers. Barcelona's athletic trainer Pablo Merino recently declared: "He's come back stronger than ever. He's a very disciplined German." Words that are currently falling on deaf ears in Barcelona.