Rarely has a speech by a captain of FC Barcelona at the Joan Gamper Trophy generated as much morbid curiosity as this 2025. Finally, Marc-André ter Stegen, after his most complex week as a Barcelona player, presented the squad for the 2025/26 for the second consecutive year.
The German, as expected, began his speech referring to the controversy over his medical report and future at the club. Although he has a contract until 2028, the goalkeeper knows he has been relegated in Hansi Flick's plans. Even so, he kept up appearances with a very correct speech in which he was optimistic about the future.
"Personally, I think it was important to solve the problem between the club and me. Now we look forward", 'Matts' began by saying. In principle, the captain will be out for practically the entire first half of the season after undergoing back surgery. This week, LaLiga will confirm his time off, which will be key for the club's financial planning.
Ter Stegen welcomes the reinforcements and thanks the coaching staff
If the employers confirm his absence for 5 or more months, Barça will save 80% of his salary. In the event of an absence of around 4 months, this percentage will be reduced to 50%. In any case, Ter Stegen is confident that the club will be able to improve the results obtained in 24/25, where they won the national treble.
"We will have a very demanding season ahead, we are working hard to reap many successes next year", said the player from Mönchengladbach. In addition, he thanked the players who have left the Barcelona team in the summer market, with Iñigo Martínez being the most surprising and sensitive departure.
"The entire squad thanks all the players who have left this summer for their work. To the new signings, I welcome them and offer my support. I am sure that they will make us stronger as a team", said 'Matts'.
One of the reinforcements, logically, will have a direct impact on his role for 25/26 (Joan García). In fact, the Catalan also took to the Estadi Johan Gamper wearing the '1' shirt with which he will soon be registered. However, the German guaranteed to put the best of himself to try to win everything in 2026.
"We are going to fight again for all the trophies and we hope that, with your help, we can win all the possible titles", commented 'Matts'. In turn, he expressed his gratitude to the coaching staff for the work done so far.
Although his relationship with Hansi Flick is not the best, Ter Stegen did not hesitate to thank him personally for his management. "Thank you very much to the coach and his staff. They have given us back a successful football and we have enjoyed it very much", pointed out the now first Barcelona captain.
Hansi Flick also greeted the fans with a notable improvement in his Spanish
Much shorter, but emotional, was Hansi Flick's speech. The coach surprised with his remarkable improvement in Spanish, sending a message of gratitude to the fans for their support.
"Good evening, culés. Thank you for your support last year, we lived very beautiful moments together. It was a special year and we want to continue with this beautiful story. In the new season we will work hard and without excuses. We want to win many games and many titles. Again, thank you very much. Visca el Barça and visca Catalunya!", said the German coach.
For Flick, the great challenge will be to improve on what was done in 24/25, where Barça swept all the local trophies and was about to reach their first Champions League final in the last decade. The squad maintains its base and adds three top-level reinforcements to go for the four titles at stake in 2026.