Overview
- Marc-André ter Stegen underwent back surgery that will sideline him for at least the first three months of the season.
- Barcelona signed Joan García as first-choice goalkeeper and extended Wojciech Szczesny’s deal, pushing ter Stegen to third in the pecking order.
- Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres publicly backed ter Stegen to remain captain despite his demotion.
- Head coach Hansi Flick confirmed that the squad will choose its captain about two weeks before the first match.
- Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann signalled he will count on ter Stegen for the 2026 World Cup if he regains fitness and a starting role.