Club Takes Drastic Action as Goalkeeper’s Refusal to Sign Medical Documents Sparks Financial Standoff
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Barcelona has temporarily removed Marc-André ter Stegen as team captain after the German goalkeeper refused to sign a medical report detailing his recovery timeline from recent back surgery. The club announced Thursday that defender Ronald Araújo will take over as interim captain until the dispute is resolved.
The conflict stems from Barcelona’s urgent need to register the injury with La Liga to free up salary cap space. With the club still navigating strict financial fair play rules, Ter Stegen’s signed medical assessment would allow them to temporarily exclude a portion of his wages from their spending limit—potentially opening the door for new signings.
However, Ter Stegen, who successfully underwent lower back surgery last week, has publicly estimated his recovery at around three months—a timeline the club has not officially endorsed. Barcelona’s only statement so far confirmed the operation was “successful” but avoided committing to a return date, saying only that his comeback would “depend on his recovery.”
A Clash Over Financial Flexibility
The disagreement turned into a full-blown disciplinary issue this week when the 33-year-old declined to formalize his expected absence. Without his signature, Barcelona cannot submit the documents to La Liga for approval—leaving the club in limbo as they try to balance their squad registration.
Spanish media reports suggest Ter Stegen met briefly with club officials, but no resolution was reached. The standoff has now cost him the captain’s armband, at least temporarily, with Araújo stepping into the leadership role.
A Goalkeeping Conundrum
Barcelona has already prepared for Ter Stegen’s absence by signing Espanyol’s Joan García in June. Backup options Iñaki Peña and veteran Wojciech Szczęsny, who shared goalkeeping duties last season during Ter Stegen’s lengthy knee injury layoff, are also available.
This isn’t the first time injuries have disrupted the German’s career at Camp Nou. He missed two months in 2023 due to another back operation and spent most of last season sidelined with a ruptured knee tendon.
A Symbolic Punishment—But Will It Last?
While the captaincy change is framed as temporary, the move sends a clear message: Barcelona will not tolerate obstacles in their delicate financial maneuvering. Yet, with Ter Stegen being a long-serving leader and a key player, the club will likely seek a compromise before the situation worsens.
For now, though, the Blaugrana’s preseason turbulence continues—proving that even off the pitch, drama is never far away at Barcelona.
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