The return of Marc-André ter Stegen to full training has reignited a goalkeeper controversy inside Barcelona: who should be the starting keeper — the experienced German or the rising Catalan shot-stopper Joan García, who has performed impressively during Ter Stegen’s absence? As the team prepares for the upcoming clash against Atlético de Madrid, the club now faces a choice between pedigree and current performance.

Flick Has His Number One

Manager Hansi Flick has reportedly made his preference clear. Even though Ter Stegen is edging closer to full fitness, the coach fully trusts Joan García as his starting goalkeeper. The young Spaniard has displayed calmness, maturity, and sharp reflexes, becoming a pillar in the defensive structure of the team this season.

There is also an administrative complication: if Ter Stegen is reactivated earlier than permitted after being registered as a long-term injury, Barcelona would face a financial fair-play penalty, since part of the German’s salary space was allocated to register Joan García in LaLiga. This means the decision is not just tactical — it’s also regulatory.

On Monday, for the first time since his back surgery in July, Ter Stegen trained with the squad, alongside Joan García, Szczesny, and Kochen, although he has not yet received medical clearance nor is he expected to appear in the immediate call-ups.

An Uncertain Future for Ter Stegen

While Ter Stegen is determined to reclaim his starting role — especially to secure his place in Germany’s World Cup plans — not everyone in the club sees his return as the obvious solution anymore.

Reports suggest that internally, Barcelona may be open to the idea of moving the German goalkeeper in the winter transfer window, considering his contractual demands, economic impact, and the long-term projection of Joan García, who embodies the generational shift the club is encouraging.