Goalkeeper Regains Armband Following Late-Night Resolution Over Medical Records Standoff
In a dramatic U-turn, Barcelona have reinstated Marc-André ter Stegen as club captain just 24 hours after stripping him of the honor, following a heated dispute over the German goalkeeper’s back surgery recovery.
The Catalan club had launched disciplinary proceedings earlier this week when the 33-year-old initially refused to share full medical details of his July back operation—a move that would have allowed Barcelona to classify him as a long-term injury case and temporarily remove his wages from their strained salary cap calculations.
But in a late Friday statement, the club announced: “The disciplinary file is considered closed and the player regains the first team captaincy with immediate effect,” after Ter Stegen finally signed the required paperwork.
The resolution came hours after an emotional Instagram post from the goalkeeper, who defended his position: “Many things have been said about me—some entirely unfounded. I’ve always been willing to collaborate with the club to resolve this matter.”
Ter Stegen emphasized that his surgery—approved by club doctors—shouldn’t impact Barcelona’s financial fair play struggles: “All signings and renewals were completed before my operation. My commitment to these colors remains absolute.”
The public spat highlights Barcelona’s ongoing financial turmoil as they scramble to register new players before the Liga season starts. It also raises questions about Ter Stegen’s future, with summer signing Joan García (24) and veteran Wojciech Szczęsny (35)—fresh off a contract extension—waiting in the wings.
For now, peace appears restored at Camp Nou. But as one club insider noted: “This wasn’t just about medical forms—it was about trust. Both sides need to rebuild that.”
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