After being off the pitch for months now due to knee ligament rupture, followed by a back surgery to treat chronic pain— with a generous helping of Barça’s trademark theatrics for seasoning —, FC Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc André ter Stegen is working hard in his comeback with the hopes of getting regular playing time and secure a spot on Germany’s FIFA World Cup squad next summer.
Former Bayern Munich and current Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann seems to advise Ter Stegen prioritize playing time over playing in an elite club, after the goalkeeper reportedly tried to force his way out of Barcelona in order to get some minutes before the big tourney (via @iMiaSanMia). “I had a long phone call with him last week. He’s doing well, which is the most important thing. I think the winter transfer window is never easy. I didn’t say that he has to play for a top club – the most important thing is that he plays, regardless of whether it’s an absolute top club or not.”
Nagelsmann will be monitoring Ter Stegen’s situation closely in the coming months to see if the Barca captain is healthy and back at a sufficient level, but trusts that the keeper will find a way to play regularly in the latter half of the season. “The situation is not easy, we have to see how healthy and fit he is. Marc is a very good goalkeeper and I trust him to find a good solution and get to play regularly. We’ll see what happens,” Nagelsmann concluded.
Ter Stegen’s history with the German national team is one that you cannot help but feel a little sorry about. The guy has lived under the shadow of Bayern’s Manuel Neuer pretty much his whole career, which has prevented him to play a World Cup. Now that Neuer has retired from international football, Ter Stegen was set to be the No. 1 keeper for Germany in the upcoming World Cup, but a terrific knee injury and chronic back problems might end up having a say on Ter Stegen’s aspirations.
