The bitter internal conflict at FC Barcelona is set to reach a critical point on Thursday, as club officials are scheduled to meet to decide on the future of Marc-André ter Stegen as the team’s captain.
The crisis was ignited after the German goalkeeper, who recently underwent back surgery, refused to allow the club to send his medical records to La Liga. This action effectively blocked Barcelona’s plan to use an injury loophole to free up crucial salary space, which was needed to register new signings like Joan García and Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona officials were reportedly left stunned by this move, accusing their captain of “putting himself above the team.” According to Spanish outlet SPORT, the board is now seriously considering stripping him of the captaincy as a result of his actions.
However, the club’s plan to punish the goalkeeper is facing a major and unexpected complication: a potential backlash from within their own dressing room. A number of key senior players have reportedly spoken out publicly in support of their captain.
Influential figures including Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, and Gavi have all pledged their support for Ter Stegen, who is also legally backed by the Spanish players’ association (AFE).
This has left the Barcelona board in a very delicate and difficult position. While some reports in the Spanish media suggest the decision to remove him as captain has already been made, club officials are now wary of causing a major rift within the squad by going against the wishes of such influential players.
The meeting today, which manager Hansi Flick is due to attend, is now crucial. The club must navigate a full-blown leadership crisis, balancing their anger at their captain’s perceived disloyalty with the significant risk of upsetting the entire dressing room just weeks before their La Liga title defense begins.