Barca’s message to Ter Stegen? Garcia wears No. 1 shirt

Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images

An interesting decision....

Barcelona kicked off pre-season on Sunday with a friendly match against Vissel Kobe in Japan.

The match saw Hansi Flick had new signing Joan Garcia his first-team debut following his summer move from Espanyol.

It was also interesting to see Barcelona hand Garcia the No.1 shirt - that previously belonged to club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen - for the match.

El Barça ha vestido a Joan Garcia con el 1 y con nombre estando Ter Stegen todavía en el club. El mensaje es claro no, lo siguiente.

@VALENRICH pic.twitter.com/G2iviqpbe3

— Guillem Borràs Pérez (@Guillembp01) July 27, 2025

Obviously it’s still only pre-season and these are not the final squad numbers, but the move will be interpreted by many as another clear message to the Germany international.

Ter Stegen is out injured currently and has reportedly angered the club by announcing he will miss the next three months of action.

The move has led to suggestions that some at the club no longer want to see Ter Stegen as the club’s captain, although this is something that will be voted on by the players before the start of the new campaign.

Source: barcablaugranes.com