Marc-André ter Stegen is back wearing Barcelona’s captain’s armband. The club confirmed that the goalkeeper gave the green light for his medical reports to be sent to La Liga, effectively shutting down the disciplinary case that had been hanging over him. That decision came just hours after the German posted a message on social media saying he was ready to work with the board to sort things out. It’s a move that not only patches things up between player and club, but could also make a big difference in the team’s Financial Fair Play situation, opening up space on the wage bill to register signings still waiting for approval.
In its statement, Barça said Ter Stegen signed the authorization for the medical staff to forward details of his back surgery to the Spanish league. With that done, the disciplinary process was dropped, and the captaincy was handed straight back to him. The club made it clear this step is a required formality, and under Financial Fair Play rules, it means up to 80% of his salary can now be taken off the books for this season.
He’ll still pocket his full wages, but part of what he earns won’t count toward the team’s spending limit. That breathing room is vital for Barcelona right now, as they work to get players like English forward Marcus Rashford, and six others, officially cleared to play in La Liga.
A turning point between Ter Stegen and the club
This isn’t just about giving the armband back. It’s about what that gesture means. Not long ago, things between Ter Stegen and the board were tense. The club wanted his consent to send those medical records to La Liga so they could apply the salary discount allowed in the rulebook. But according to reports, the keeper wasn’t on board with that idea at first. His hesitation created friction and eventually pushed Barcelona to open a disciplinary case, something you rarely see happen with a captain and a senior figure in the squad.
The tone began to change once Ter Stegen decided to speak publicly. In his post, he admitted the last few months had been tough, both physically and personally. Like any player dealing with an injury, he said, his main focus was to get back on the pitch as soon as possible to help the team. He also addressed rumors head-on, calling some of them “completely unfounded.”
He explained that the decision to undergo surgery was made after consulting with specialists, was approved by the club, and was all about protecting his long-term health and extending his career. He reminded everyone that he’d already gone public with the minimum recovery time doctors had given him, and pointed out that all of Barça’s transfers and renewals had been finalized before his operation.
Because of that, he said, linking his medical situation to the registration of other players just didn’t make sense. By laying it all out, he hoped to put an end to what he saw as unfair assumptions.
Impact on and off the field
By signing off on those reports, Ter Stegen has closed a chapter that could have caused far more damage in the locker room. It’s a peace-making move that helps his image and keeps the story from dragging on.
For Barcelona, the payoff is immediate. The salary discount — up to 80% in the Financial Fair Play tally — gives them the flexibility they need to get important players registered before the season starts. With the club still working to bolster the squad and get names like Rashford cleared to play, every bit of room on the payroll is worth its weight in gold.