Barcelona’s management continues its efforts to force Ter Stegen to leave this summer, and this time, they intend to shock the German international with a decision that will soon come from coach Hansi Flick.
Barcelona signed Juan Garcia from Espanyol for €25 million, and the club’s plan is for him to become the Catalan club’s first-choice goalkeeper next season, with Szczesny as his replacement.
Ter Stegen is determined to continue with Barcelona, especially since his annual salary exceeds €15 million. The way he has been treated by the club’s management and the media has only made him more stubborn and determined to stay at Camp Nou to exact revenge on Joan Laporta and his men.
Officially, Barcelona announces the date of his return to Camp Nou
Barcelona strips Ter Stegen of the captaincy
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona management believes this is the right time to strip Ter Stegen of the captaincy, especially since he is not expected to play regularly next season.
Barcelona’s captain is usually chosen by a players’ meeting and voted on by the players, but Laporta is considering changing this rule.
(🌕) JUST IN: Due to the decision of not having Ter Stegen as one of their main keepers next season, the board is inclined to change the captaincy structure a little bit and wants Hansi Flick to have a say in this. @ffpolo #FCB ©️🔵🔴🚨
— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadFCB) June 28, 2025
Laporta wants to reconstitute Barcelona’s leadership council with players again, giving coach Hansi Flick the sole authority to choose the new captain.
This scenario occurred at Manchester City this season, when Pep Guardiola intervened and appointed Bernardo Silva as the new captain of the English club after the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, without consulting the players as usual.
Who will be Barcelona’s new captain after Ter Stegen?
Although the current pecking order at Barcelona places Ronald Araujo as second in command after Ter Stegen, he will not be the new captain when the German goalkeeper is stripped of the armband, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Catalan club’s management believes that Iñigo Martínez is the most influential figure in the dressing room and has all the ideal attributes to become Barcelona’s new captain next season, a view shared by Flick.
Although Martínez is only in his third season with Barcelona, he has succeeded in becoming a key player at the club thanks to his performances and commitment. His extensive experience has also helped many of Barcelona’s younger players, most notably Pau Coparsi.
It’s worth noting that 33-year-old Martínez renewed his contract for a year at Flick’s insistence, and the strong relationship between the two will be an additional factor in his preference over any other candidate proposed to lead Barça.
Ter Stegen’s Position on Leaving Barcelona
This isn’t expected to be the only move by Barcelona’s management against Ter Stegen. It’s even been reported that the No. 1 shirt will be stripped and given to new signing Juan Garcia as the Catalans’ starting goalkeeper next season.
Despite everything Ter Stegen is facing, his position remains unchanged: either pay the full value of his contract (which runs until 2028 and amounts to more than €40 million) or continue, even if it’s on the bench.
Barcelona is banking on one thing: Ter Stegen’s fear of missing out on the chance to participate with the German national team in the 2026 World Cup, which could ultimately motivate him to leave, even if it’s difficult.
