Laporta waves temporary goodbye to Ter Stegen as Barça keeper joins Girona
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists Marc-André ter Stegen's loan move to Girona is just temporary, as German keeper seeks playing time ahead of World Cup.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has addressed the unexpected departure of first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to Girona, insisting this isn’t the end of the German’s Camp Nou career.
”Not goodbye, see you later”
In a statement that might raise a few eyebrows among the Barça faithful, Laporta was keen to emphasize the temporary nature of the move. The German shot-stopper will join Girona on loan until the end of the season, with Barcelona expecting him to return afterward.
Laporta explained the thinking behind this surprising decision, pointing to Ter Stegen’s recovery from injury and his international ambitions:
“Marc André, coming back from injury, needs to play,” Laporta stated, highlighting the keeper’s desire for regular minutes to secure his place in Germany’s World Cup squad.
World Cup ambitions
The Barcelona president revealed that the German national team manager has made it clear: Ter Stegen needs regular playing time if he wants to make the World Cup squad. With the keeper still in recovery phase, opportunities at Barcelona might have been limited in the short term.
This loan move appears to be a pragmatic solution for all parties involved:
- Ter Stegen gets crucial playing time at a competitive La Liga side
- He maintains his World Cup hopes
- Barcelona retain his long-term registration
- Girona secure a world-class goalkeeper
”Barcelona is his home”
Laporta was at pains to emphasize that Ter Stegen remains a Barcelona player, with the president clearly viewing this as a temporary arrangement rather than the beginning of the end for one of the club’s captains.
“Marc André knows Barcelona is his home, this is just a loan until the end of the season,” Laporta insisted, adding that discussions about the future will take place after the World Cup.
The president didn’t miss the opportunity to praise the German’s character, describing him as “an exceptional person” as well as an outstanding goalkeeper.
Champions League focus
Meanwhile, Barcelona face Slavia Prague in the Champions League tonight, with Laporta expressing confidence that the team can still reach the competition’s top eight if they win their remaining two matches.
With Ter Stegen’s departure, all eyes will now be on who steps between the sticks for the crucial European fixtures ahead.