Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered another career blow on Thursday night, as Hansi Flick picked Joan Garcia for the Copa del Rey Last 16 clash.
With only two weeks remaining in the January transfer window, Ter Stegen needs to make a bold call to keep himself in contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hansi Flick No Longer Relies on Ter Stegen for Important Games
Following his back surgery, Ter Stegen returned to the pitch in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash with Guadalajara. He produced a decent performance as Barca won 2-0.
With Garcia emerging as the undisputed No. 1 in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League, Ter Stegen only had the domestic cup competitions to play for. But the landscape has changed in the last week.
️| Hansi Flick, on defending in the final minutes against Real Madrid: “With Joan García in goal, I’m CALM.” #fcblive pic.twitter.com/8t4QYtziPd
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) January 14, 2026
Ter Stegen did not play in the Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid on Sunday. On Thursday, Flick once again picked Garcia over Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey meeting with Segunda side Racing Santander.
When asked to explain his selection, Flick told Movistar:
“Joan is our number one and today is an important game and that’s why he plays. Some players need rest but it’s an important game.
“They are playing a dangerous direct game, you have to take that into account and be careful. The cup is always like that, it [shocks] happen sometimes but I hope not today.”
Ter Stegen Must Leave Barcelona to Represent Germany at the World Cup
According to Diario AS, Ter Stegen’s fate at Barcelona is sealed at least until the end of the season. Unless Garcia suffers an injury, Ter Stegen will keep warming the bench.
If he wants to have a shot at becoming Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, he must find a new club.
Until last week, Barcelona sporting director Deco had only received enquiries from LaLiga rivals Girona. They wanted to sign him on loan until the end of the season, and Barca were prepared to green-light his departure.
The Blaugrana even offered to pay a portion of his salary to make the move more lucrative for Girona.
However, the move has not yet materialised as some people at Girona are wary about his fitness.
We survived Ter Stegen pic.twitter.com/jGE5riM0TK https://t.co/1hSSZAhfyW
— Brian (@Bri_an2) January 15, 2026
Barcelona have allowed Ter Stegen to make the final call. He could move in January to a team that will give him enough playing time. Playing regularly would allow him, as well as Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, find out if he could participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Alternatively, he could stay put at Barcelona and hope for the best. This option remains on the table because of Ter Stegen’s anxiety about his physical condition.
Barcelona suffered an injury blow at the Super Cup, as Ter Stegen felt discomfort during training.
The club tried to convince him to stay in Saudi Arabia and get checked by the club doctors. However, he insisted on returning to Barcelona and consulting with Dr Monllau, who operated on his right knee in 2015.
AS believes Ter Stegen’s concerns could lead him to stay in the Catalan capital, potentially jeopardising his chances of World Cup participation.
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