The Spanish Super Cup was supposed to be the stage where Marc-André ter Stegen proved his fitness to the world. Instead, the Barcelona captain is on a flight back to Catalonia, leaving a trail of questions about his future at the club.
On Tuesday night in Jeddah, during a routine training session at the King Abdullah Sports City, Ter Stegen experienced “physical discomfort” that forced him to stop immediately. By Wednesday morning, the club confirmed the worst: the German international is officially out of the Super Cup and has returned to Barcelona for urgent medical tests. Watch all the matches live on Damitv.pro .
A Cruel Twist of Fate
This latest setback comes at the most sensitive time possible. After missing the first half of the 2025-26 season following back surgery, Ter Stegen only recently made his return in a Copa del Rey match against Guadalajara.
For the veteran goalkeeper, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, he is in a desperate race to secure playing time to remain Germany’s No. 1.
Will the Girona Transfer Collapse?
Before this injury, the rumor mill was spinning with a potential loan move to Girona. Girona manager Michel has been vocal about his admiration for Ter Stegen, stating, “I’d love to have him with us.”
The plan was simple: Ter Stegen would join Girona on a six-month loan to get the minutes Hansi Flick can no longer guarantee him at Barça. However, this injury changes everything.
- Medical Risk: Girona may hesitate to finalize a deal until the full extent of this new injury is known.
- Financial Hurdle: Barcelona was reportedly willing to cover a large part of his salary to make the move happen, but a long-term injury would likely kill the negotiation entirely.
The Rise of Joan García: A New Era
While Ter Stegen faces uncertainty, the story on the other side of the locker room is one of triumph. Joan García, the €25 million summer signing from Espanyol, has officially established himself as the undisputed starter.
García’s stats this season have been nothing short of elite:
- Save Percentage: 78.6% (Highest in La Liga)
- Clean Sheets: 7 in 13 matches
- Goals Prevented: 5.30 (Data via Opta)
Hansi Flick had already confirmed that García would start the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao even before Ter Stegen’s injury. It’s becoming increasingly clear that even when healthy, the captain’s path back to the starting XI is blocked by a younger, more agile shot-stopper.
What’s Next for Barcelona?
With Ter Stegen sidelined, Barcelona has called up American youth international Diego Kochen to join the squad in Saudi Arabia. He will provide backup alongside the veteran Wojciech Szczęsny.
For the fans, the focus remains on the semi-final, but in the offices of the Ciutat Esportiva, the priority is the medical report. If the injury is minor, a January exit is still possible. If it’s serious, Ter Stegen may have played his last game for Barcelona.