Honestly, if you just glance at the raw numbers, you might think Marc-André ter Stegen has vanished into thin air. He hasn't. But the ter stegen stats this season tell a story that's way more complicated than just "save percentages" or "clean sheets." We are looking at a year defined by a brutal injury recovery, a spicy locker room power struggle, and the sudden rise of Joan García.
It's weird. For years, Ter Stegen was the "wall" of Barcelona. Now? He's fighting for a spot on the bench.
People keep asking why his appearances are so low. The answer is a mix of a major knee injury from late 2024 and a back surgery in July 2025 that basically sidelined him for the first half of this current 2025-2026 campaign. He’s finally back, but the landscape at the Camp Nou has shifted under his feet.
The Brutal Reality of the Numbers
Let's get into the actual ter stegen stats this season. Up until mid-January 2026, the German international has only managed to get on the pitch a handful of times. Specifically, his "return" match happened in the Copa del Rey against CD Guadalajara.
- Total Appearances: 1 (specifically in the Copa del Rey).
- Clean Sheets: 1.
- Goals Conceded: 0.
- Saves Made: 3.
- Pass Accuracy: 100%.
One game. That's it. Compare that to his 2022-23 season where he played 38 La Liga games and kept 26 clean sheets. It’s a staggering drop-off, but it isn’t about him playing poorly. It’s about him not playing at all.
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Because of the back surgery he had in July, Barcelona actually used a La Liga loophole to register Joan García while Ter Stegen was "long-term injured." This created a massive rift. Rumors were flying that the club and Ter Stegen were "on the brink of war" because the German didn't want to hand over his medical records to prove he’d be out that long. He even lost the captaincy for a bit until things calmed down.
Why Hansi Flick Isn't Budging
You’d think a healthy Ter Stegen walks back into the XI, right? Wrong.
Hansi Flick has been surprisingly blunt about this. He recently told reporters, "Joan is my number one goalkeeper." That’s a heavy sentence for a legend like Ter Stegen to hear. While Ter Stegen was out, Joan García didn't just fill in—he dominated. Then you’ve got Wojciech Szczęsny, who came out of retirement (again) to provide backup and ended up winning three trophies with the team last year.
Basically, Ter Stegen is currently the third-choice keeper on the depth chart.
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The Performance Gap
It’s not just about tenure anymore. Flick’s system requires a keeper who is hyper-proactive. While Ter Stegen’s distribution is still elite (that 100% pass completion in his lone cup game proves he hasn't lost his touch), Joan García is younger, faster off his line, and currently has the "hot hand."
The ter stegen stats this season are mostly zeros because the coaching staff doesn't feel the need to fix what isn't broken. If the team is winning with García, why risk a change?
What Really Happened in Jeddah?
Just last week, things got even weirder. There was this "false announcement" floating around that Ter Stegen wasn't feeling well and wouldn't rejoin the team in Jeddah for the Supercopa de España.
The media went nuts. People thought he had relapsed or was throwing a tantrum.
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Ter Stegen actually had to go on social media himself to shut it down. He clarified he was "perfectly healthy" and staying in Barcelona for personal reasons. It highlights just how tense the communication is between him and the club right now. When the stats are low and the rumors are high, every missed flight looks like a transfer request.
Is There a Way Back?
Honestly, the January transfer window is the big "what if" here. With the 2026 World Cup coming up this summer, Ter Stegen cannot afford to sit on the bench. He wants to challenge Manuel Neuer for the starting spot in Germany, but you can’t do that if you only play in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey.
Reports from Mundo Deportivo suggest Barcelona might even be open to a loan. Imagine Ter Stegen in a different jersey. It feels wrong, but the stats don't lie—he's a luxury backup right now.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following Ter Stegen's situation, here is what you need to watch for in the coming weeks:
- The Copa del Rey Schedule: This is his only realistic path to minutes. If Flick starts Szczęsny in the next round instead of Ter Stegen, it’s officially over for him at Barca.
- Training Reports: Watch for any mentions of his back. Recovery from surgery at 33 years old is no joke.
- Transfer Buzz: If a major European club loses their keeper to injury this month, expect Ter Stegen's name to be the first one called.
The ter stegen stats this season might look empty, but they represent a massive turning point in Barcelona's modern history. We are watching the end of an era in real-time. Whether he fights his way back or finds a new home, the "Wall" is currently waiting for a chance to prove he’s still got it.
Keep an eye on the matchday squads for the upcoming La Liga fixtures. If he isn't even making the bench, the January exit isn't just a rumor—it's a necessity.