SPANISH SUPER CUP 2026
Ter Stegen returns to Jeddah with Barça and will be available for the Super Cup final
Published New:9/01/2026 - 00:58h
Updated New:9/01/2026 - 01:24h
Marc-André ter Stegen will return to the Barça squad for the Spanish Super Cup final. The German left the training camp on Monday due to discomfort in his right knee, but it all turned out to be a scare
FC Barcelona will be able to count on Marc-André ter Stegen as a substitute for the final of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup, against Real Madrid. The German goalkeeper trained normally on Thursday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva and confirmed, via his Instagram account, that he would subsequently travel back to Jeddah to rejoin the Catalan squad.
"All good. Morning session in Barcelona. Now returning to Jeddah to rejoin the team," 'Matts' wrote in a post where he also shared a video of his training. The 33-year-old goalkeeper felt discomfort in his right knee on Monday and preferred to travel back to Catalonia for examination, prior to the semifinal between the Catalan team and Athletic Club
A scare for Ter Stegen, relief for Barça
As it was the same knee operated on in September 2024, Ter Stegen wanted to be treated directly by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau to rule out any type of issue. Finally, it all turned out to be a scare and the '1' will be available again on the Barça bench for the final to be played next Sunday the 12th, starting at 8:00 PM.
Deco himself had revealed the German's condition before the Barça-Athletic match on Tuesday. "He had a bad feeling in his operated knee and got scared, as is normal because he's had problems in the past. But he's calm, it's nothing serious," the Barça sporting director explained to 'Movistar+'.
Diego Kochen took the place of 'Matts' as the second substitute goalkeeper on Tuesday, but he will be able to return to play with the reserve team this weekend. Joan García completed another match without conceding goals against the Basques, his fifth in a row, while Wojciech Szczesny was also available as a substitute.
Barça sticks to its plan with Ter Stegen
Ter Stegen's return, in that sense, is very good news for a Barça that hopes to resolve its future after the Spanish Super Cup. Although the '1' has not asked to leave, there is an offer from Girona to sign him on loan, understanding that the German will play very little from now until the end of the season.
The club's stance is clear: facilitate his loan by assuming a majority percentage of his salary. The idea is for 'Matts' to get the playing time necessary to regain his best form. **So he plays in the World Cup and, in the summer, there will be more possibilities to negotiate a transfer** to another team. In Barcelona, it's clear he will have few opportunities.
Hansi Flick could give him the starting nod again next Thursday against Racing de Santander, in the Copa del Rey round of 16 (9:00 PM). In the League and Champions League, Joan García will continue to be the '1'. In fact, Szczesny also has a good chance of returning to goal next week in the visit to El Sardinero.
