Barcelona restored Marc-André ter Stegen as captain on 8 August 2025 after the goalkeeper allowed the club to send his medical report to LaLiga.
The decision ended a dispute that had cost Ter Stegen the armband for one day. Barcelona also closed the disciplinary case opened against him earlier that week.
“The disciplinary case has been closed and the player is captain of the first team once again with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.
Medical report row costs Ter Stegen the armband
Ter Stegen underwent back surgery in late July. The dispute began when the club sought permission to share his medical details with LaLiga.
Barcelona temporarily removed him as captain on 7 August while the disciplinary process was under way. Vice-captain Ronald Araujo took the armband during that period.
Agence France-Presse reported that Barcelona wanted LaLiga to classify the injury as long term, which would create room on the club’s wage bill. Football España reported that the club expected Ter Stegen to miss more than four months and hoped to register Joan García in his place.
Barcelona were already operating under tight financial restrictions and faced another struggle to register their summer signings.
Ter Stegen agrees to cooperate
Before Barcelona announced the resolution, Ter Stegen said on Instagram that some of the claims surrounding the dispute were “entirely unfounded”.
“I am fully willing to collaborate with the club’s management to resolve this matter and to provide the requested authorisation,” he wrote.
The goalkeeper also rejected suggestions that his surgery was responsible for the club’s registration problems. He said Barcelona had completed its signings and contract renewals before he underwent the operation, which had been approved by the club.
“My commitment to these colours remains absolute,” Ter Stegen added.
García and Szczęsny reshape Barcelona’s goalkeeping plans
García, 24, had joined Barcelona that summer, while Wojciech Szczęsny, 35, signed a new contract after helping the club win the LaLiga title.
Ter Stegen’s return as captain settled the immediate dispute, but his injury and the arrival of two senior goalkeepers left Barcelona with important decisions to make in goal.
