Barcelona’s financial crisis continues to claim victims, and this time, it’s none other than Marc-André ter Stegen.

German legend Lothar Matthäus has dropped a bombshell, claiming the goalkeeper will never play for Barcelona again.

Speaking on Sky punditry, Matthäus didn’t mince his words: “In my opinion, Ter Stegen will not play for Barcelona again. He needs to play to achieve his dream of participating in the World Cup; if he wants to play in the World Cup, he should leave.”
For years, Ter Stegen was one of Barcelona’s few reliable figures amidst chaos. He wore the captain’s armband, stood tall through their financial meltdowns, and remained loyal when others sought exits. But Matthäus believes that loyalty counts for nothing anymore.
“I understand [Ter Stegen] — he performed well, was a team captain, and has his life in Barcelona, but he must accept his fate now. Barça has other ideas and different plans.”

The “different plans” Matthäus refers to seem pretty clear. Barcelona are desperately trying to slash their bloated wage bill to comply with La Liga’s strict 1:1 Financial Fair Play rule. And Ter Stegen, one of their highest earners, is now seen as expendable.

Sources close to the situation say Ter Stegen doesn’t even want to leave, but the club has made his life impossible. He’s now reportedly banned from training with the rest of the squad – a clear sign he’s being forced out.
Matthäus summed up the brutal reality of the situation: “These are decisions that must be accepted, there’s no need to complain as this is part of football. There is nothing and nobody bigger than the club.”

It’s another reminder of how quickly things can change in football. Not long ago, Ter Stegen was hailed as one of the best keepers in the world. Now he’s being pushed out the back door, a casualty of mismanagement and financial ruin.