Is there never a happy ending? No one is as unlucky as this DFB star | OneFootball

Finally, finally, finally he's gone. Finally, the man who was not only a world-class keeper in the German goal for an eternity, but also a world-class gatekeeper, is gone. With Manuel Neuer's retirement from the national team, Marc-André ter Stegen finally secured the number one spot last autumn after twelve years as the best German goalkeeper behind the best German goalkeeper. And he was allowed to enjoy this for exactly 180 minutes.

📸 JOSE JORDAN - AFP or licensors

Against Hungary and the Netherlands, he was the DFB's regular goalkeeper for two games in the Nations League in September before he found himself in the role of the last twelve years: a spectator. A patellar tendon tear during a LaLiga game confirmed what we already knew: there is no goalkeeper who has had as much bad luck in his career as Marc-André ter Stegen.

More on that in a moment, but first this: Against Portugal, he will be in goal tonight and, according to national coach Julian Nagelsmann, now enjoys "full trust". The problem: This does not make him the undisputed number one for the 2026 World Cup. Which brings us back to bad luck.

📸 ODD ANDERSEN

Number one at DFB - on the sidelines at Barça?

Just now, when nothing seems to stand in his way in the German goal, the rumor mill in Barcelona is bubbling - and spilling over to Herzogenaurach, where the national team is preparing for the Final Four of the Nations League.

The Spanish champion is reportedly very interested in signing goalkeeper Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol Barcelona. The 24-year-old had an outstanding season with the city rivals and has established himself as one of the best keepers in La Liga. And you don't bring one of the best keepers in the league to sit him on the bench.

At least: ter Stegen would probably not be disputed the number two spot. Wojciech Szczęsny, who was signed during ter Stegen's injury and stood between the posts in the important games even when the German was fit again, only has a contract until the end of the month. The actual number two, 26-year-old Iñaki Peña, is on the verge of leaving - understandable, after Szczęsny was brought out of retirement last year rather than giving him the deputy role.

Marc-André ter Stegen, for his part, emphasized that the rumors left him cold and he knew he would be in Barcelona next year. But let's be honest: Can we imagine that ter Stegen will be satisfied with a role as a bench warmer or cup goalkeeper a year before the World Cup?

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2025 Getty Images

Number two at Barca - or a transfer?

It's very unlikely that after years in the second row behind Neuer and the injury bad luck last year, he will voluntarily risk losing his regular place in the national team due to lack of playing time at the club.

And then the question remains: Where to with ter Stegen, who after all won the Confed Cup as number one with Germany? If a World Cup title is to be added next year, it would have to be a top club - and one in which he is the undisputed number one. And that is currently not so easy:

Manuel Neuer is still at Bayern for another year, but already feels the breath of talent Jonas Urbig on his neck. In the black and yellow jersey, one or the other could certainly have imagined ter Stegen - but BVB's goalkeeper Kobel is also staying, so: no place for Germany's number one.

And also Real, Atlético, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City & Co. probably can't use him - despite his outstanding game build-up, passing game, his 1-on-1 strength and leadership qualities - because: no need. And as you can see at FC Barcelona: Even if there is a need, younger goalkeepers are preferred.

Whether everything clears up and ter Stegen remains the number one at Barça, still changes or is satisfied with a bench seat - either way, the career of the German keeper remains one with a bland aftertaste. Too often he had to line up behind a usually just a bit better Manuel Neuer despite world-class performances. And even when Neuer faltered or was injured for a long time, he still kept the number one bonus at major tournaments.

So far, there are a lot of "what ifs", big competitors and injuries at the wrong times in ter Stegen's vita. Is there still a happy ending for him? Or is he facing another setback just before the end, this time at club level? It would fit, but it would also be a nasty punchline after twelve years of waiting.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Jörg Schüler - 2019 Getty Images