‘He has to play’ – Barcelona Marc-Andre ter Stegen sent strong World Cup 2026 message by Germany chief

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been told he needs to be playing regular football if he wants to be Germany’s No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup.

Ter Stegen is back to full fitness after surgery and made his first appearance of the season in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win over Guadalajara.

However, Hansi Flick made it clear that Ter Stegen was only back for that one match, and it’s currently unclear what will happen next with the goalkeeper.

Germany sporting director Rudi Voller has now been talking about the situation and has sent a clear message to Ter Stegen.

“It doesn’t matter if he stays at Barcelona or goes somewhere else, in the end he has to play,” he told Kicker.

“And then we’ll all be happy for him if, after many years as a world-class goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer ‘s shadow, he gets the chance to be between the posts at a World Cup.”

There have been whispers of interest in Ter Stegen ahead of the January window. Aston Villa are believed to be interested, while the German is also said to have attracted interest from clubs in Turkey.

Source: barcablaugranes.com