Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s 2026 World Cup hopes face a new threat as Germany considers bringing Manuel Neuer out of international retirement, complicating his uncertain future at Barcelona.
Barcelona captain Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, currently recovering from back surgery and relegated to a backup role at his club, faces a major threat to his 2026 World Cup hopes as Germany’s sporting director, Rudi Voller, has reportedly sounded out the retired Manuel Neuer about a sensational international comeback.
The last few months have been difficult for Barcelona captain Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who is currently out injured and recovering from back surgery underwent in the summer.
The 33-year-old was notified prior to his operation that Barcelona did not count on him as a starter for this season.
Manager Hansi Flick prefers Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny as his first team keepers, which left Ter Stegen with little chance of minutes at the reigning La Liga champions.
According to a report from SportBild (via Sport), this lack of club action is now compounded by a new blow to his national team prospects.
Ter Stegen needs to play in order to guarantee a starting spot at next summer’s World Cup, but his position as Germany’s number one is far from “a shoe-in.”
The report states that Rudi Voller, sporting director of the German national team, has established contacts with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with these talks being used to sound out his willingness to return for the World Cup.
Neuer, who is 39, has already retired from international football but has been regularly linked with a sensational comeback due to Germany’s goalkeeping woes. If he can be tempted, he would “almost certainly” be Julian Nagelsmann’s starter, leaving Ter Stegen as a backup once again.
If it is decided that Neuer does return to the national team, it may influence Ter Stegen’s plan to leave Barcelona during the winter transfer window, which opens in approximately six weeks’ time.
He could opt not to leave, feeling he “will not start at the World Cuop regardless.” This would be a “big blow for the Catalans, who cannot afford to keep paying his full salary.”