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SportsTer Stegen may have played final Barcelona match, set for Ajax loan
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According to Diario Sport via Hupu, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen likely played his last match for the club in a 4-1 training win over CE Europa on July 25. The German goalkeeper, who lost his starting spot to Joan García under coach Hansi Flick, is expected to join Ajax on loan early next week. Ter Stegen appeared in the second half as a gesture from Flick, keeping a clean sheet. Despite his contract running until 2028, the 2026/27 season may be his last at Barcelona. Ter Stegen previously had a dispute with the club over injury recovery time and briefly lost his captain's armband before president Laporta intervened. His last official match was in the Copa del Rey against Guadalajara. He hopes to overcome injury troubles during his loan spell in the Netherlands.
Source report
Hupu, July 25 — According to Diario Sport, Marc-André ter Stegen may have played his last minutes for Barcelona in a training match against CE Europa, which Barcelona won 4-1. The German goalkeeper is on the verge of a loan move to Ajax in Amsterdam.
The match, not even classified as a friendly by the club, saw Ter Stegen feature in the second half. Although Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick currently has four goalkeepers available — Szczęsny, Ter Stegen, and youth players Iker Rodríguez and Aaron Jacobishvili — he chose to give Ter Stegen playing time.
Szczęsny started the match, with Ter Stegen appearing in the second half, a decision seen as a gesture of goodwill from Flick to his compatriot.
Loan Move to Ajax
Ter Stegen is expected to travel to Amsterdam early next week to join Ajax on loan, where he will play under former Girona coach Míchel. Although the long-serving Barcelona captain's contract runs until 2028, the 2026/27 season could be his last as a Barcelona player.
Surprise Appearance
It was not initially expected that Ter Stegen would get playing time this Friday, but he eventually took the field and kept a clean sheet. As Diario Sport previously reported, the German goalkeeper will not travel with the Barcelona squad to England for the preseason training camp on Monday.
Ter Stegen's appearance in the second half at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper surprised many. However, this should be understood in the context of his strong performances in the early days of preseason training. Flick often rewards such attitudes, not only among young players but also veterans.
Background to Departure
Last season, after Barcelona decided to prioritize Joan García, Ter Stegen lost his starting position. For Flick, Joan García is the undisputed number one goalkeeper.
Subsequently, Ter Stegen had a disagreement with the club over the expected recovery time from a back injury, leading to a brief dispute and even the temporary loss of his captain's armband. After club president Laporta intervened, relations returned to normal.
After recovering, Ter Stegen played in the first round of the Copa del Rey against Guadalajara. But after learning he would not get further playing time, he accepted a loan move to Girona.
The match against Guadalajara was Ter Stegen's last official appearance for Barcelona. If friendlies, or more precisely preparatory matches, are included, then this Friday's game against CE Europa should also be counted.
Final Moments
After the match, members of both teams took a group photo, with a smiling Ter Stegen among them. He remains the first captain of Barcelona's first team.
His next stop will be the Netherlands. Ter Stegen hopes to shake off his injury troubles and have better luck during this loan spell than he did during his time at Girona.
Source: Diario Sport
Source
虎扑 - 足球Neutral / independent
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Ter Stegen May Have Played Final Match for Barcelona in Training Game Before Ajax Loan