Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been stripped of the Barcelona captaincy and replaced by Ronald Araujo.
Barca took the move this afternoon as the row over the player’s medical status shows no sign of abating. Ter Stegen has refused to sign a consent form that would allow the club to share his medical report with La Liga.
Barca claim Ter Stegen’s recent back surgery will keep him out for four months – a timeframe that would mean he is classed as a long-term injury by La Liga and enable the club to free up salary space to register new signing Joan Garcia. Ter Stegen, however, believes he will be sidelined for three months and has steadfastly refused to comply with the club’s wishes.
Barcelona directors and Hansi Flick decide to act
The board of directors and head coach Hansi Flick met this morning and decided to act – on a temporary basis initially – with Araujo set to wear the armband in Sunday’s Joan Gamper clash with Como.
A club statement read: “FC Barcelona hereby announces that, following the disciplinary proceedings opened against player Marc-André ter Stegen, and until this matter is definitively resolved, the club, by mutual agreement with the sporting directors and the coaching staff, has decided to temporarily withdraw his role as first-team captain.
“During this period, the duties of first captain will be assumed by the current vice-captain, Ronald Araujo.”
Ter Stegen attended the club’s training ground this morning for a check up on his back, which was operated on in Bordeaux a fortnight ago.
He departed after 90 minutes, leaving the rest of the first-team squad to complete a routine training session.
Canizares blasts ‘selfish’ Ter Stegen
Ter Stegen’s actions have come under fire with former Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares saying he was being selfish.
Canizares, who won 46 caps for Spain between 1993 and 2006, feels the 33-year-old should be sanctioned for his behaviour.
He told Cadena Cope: “A captain represents the players in a game and at the negotiating table in the face of a bonus issue or conflict.
“You can’t be lazy, create a bad atmosphere or be selfish. You have to set an example. He has to inspire everyone to be committed and give good performances, to be a team, to give good vibes and try to solve conflicts with the club or team-mates.
“But of course, if you create the conflict… If you have an open war with the club, it doesn’t make sense for that player to be the captain. It’s just the opposite, the captain would now be there to solve Ter Stegen’s conflict.”
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2025-08-07 17:02:48
