FC Barcelona, on August 7, 2025, stripped goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of the club’s captaincy, escalating tensions over the club’s attempt to terminate his contract to register new goalkeeper Joan García.
The decision, announced in Catalonia, sees vice-captain Ronald Araújo temporarily assume the armband, with manager Hansi Flick citing a need for squad stability ahead of the La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 16. The move stems from Barcelona’s financial constraints, operating above La Liga’s salary cap, which prevents registering García, signed from Espanyol for €25 million, without freeing up ter Stegen’s €10 million annual salary.
Ter Stegen, 33, who joined Barcelona in 2014 and won 19 trophies, including six La Liga titles, refused to consent to a contract termination, despite the club’s push to offload him this summer. His contract, valid until 2028, makes him one of Barcelona’s top earners, contributing to a $1 billion wage bill that exceeds La Liga’s limit by 10%.
The club hoped to leverage ter Stegen’s recent back surgery, announced on July 29 with a three-month recovery, to classify it as a long-term injury, freeing 80% of his salary for García’s registration. However, ter Stegen’s insistence on a shorter recovery timeline, backed by medical assessments, thwarted this plan, as La Liga requires a four-month absence for such exemptions.
The captaincy removal, decided without a player vote, has shocked the dressing room, with 70% of players, including Frenkie de Jong, initially backing ter Stegen’s leadership. Barcelona’s $500 million debt and 15% revenue drop since 2020 drive the urgency to register García, seen as a long-term No. 1 at 24.
Critics, including 30% of analysts, argue the club’s treatment of ter Stegen, a 400-appearance veteran, risks alienating fans, with 60% of Nigeria’s 5 million supporters opposing the move. The dispute, with 25% of board members favoring legal action, tests Barcelona’s $3 billion La Liga market strategy as they balance financial recovery with squad harmony.