On 7 August 2025, FC Barcelona announced the temporary removal of Marc-André ter Stegen from his role as the first-team captain. The decision followed the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the veteran goalkeeper by the club’s sporting management and coaching staff. Ronald Araújo, previously second in the captaincy hierarchy, will assume the captain’s duties in the interim.
The Medical Data Dispute
The core of the conflict lies in Ter Stegen’s refusal to sign his medical report authorizing Barcelona to submit it to La Liga’s medical commission. The report was necessary to certify his recovery timeline following back surgery. This certification would have allowed the club to register new players—such as newly signed goalkeeper Joan García and loanee striker Marcus Rashford—by freeing up salary cap space.
Ter Stegen insists his recovery will take only “three months,” not meeting the minimum four-month threshold required for long-term injury status under La Liga’s rules. If approved as long-term, Barcelona could remove up to 80% of his wage from the salary cap, a critical financial maneuver given their ongoing economic constraints.
Financial Pressures and Registration Chaos
Behind the scenes, Barcelona is under intense financial pressure. The club needs to register new summer acquisitions like García and Rashford, and possibly offload Ter Stegen or others to comply with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations.The goalkeeper’s refusal thus directly affects both sporting and administrative operations.
Reports prior to the decision already indicated internal friction. Ter Stegen had announced his surgery unilaterally, bypassing the club’s preferred coordinated statement, raising concerns about his attitude and the leaking of information to the press.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The episode has sparked controversy. La Liga and the Spanish players’ association (AFE) have voiced support for Ter Stegen, adding pressure to a resolution of the case. In contrast, some media voices criticized Barcelona’s handling, questioning whether such treatment is warranted for a player who has served the club loyally for years.
Moreover, Ter Stegen’s leadership status and his public communication have been under scrutiny. Acknowledging the growing tension, head coach Hansi Flick suggested that captaincy should ultimately reflect the dressing-room’s will—a stance that seems misaligned with the club’s current course.
What’s Next for Ter Stegen and Barça?
The captaincy removal is explicitly temporary, pending the outcome of deliberations related to the disciplinary process.. However, the timing is sensitive: Barcelona prepares for the Trofeo Joan Gamper on August 21, a fixture where the captain traditionally addresses the fans. In this context, having a captain amid a public feud would be untenable for the club
If Ter Stegen remains out longer than four months—or if the dispute deepens—Barcelona might be able to offload his wage entirely, though that would formally depend on both his recovery timeline and the final verdict in the disciplinary proceedings
Conclusion
Barcelona’s decision to strip Ter Stegen of his captaincy on 7 August 2025 marks a striking escalation in a dispute rooted in medical confidentiality, boardroom financial pressures, and trust. The conflict underscores the fragile intersection of player privacy, financial regulation, and club strategy in modern football. As the saga unfolds, Ter Stegen’s future at Barça—and the resolution of this internal crisis—remains in sharp focus.
