Ter Stegen reinstated as Barcelona captain, a day after he was stripped of the armband | OneFootball

Barcelona have reinstated Marc-Andre ter Stegen as club captain and dropped disciplinary proceedings against the goalkeeper around 24 hours after they stripped him of the armband.

Barcelona took action against the German international on Thursday because of a row over surgery for a back injury sustained in July.

Ter Stegen was reportedly reluctant to authorise the release of his medical data to La Liga to allow Barcelona to classify him as a long-term absentee.

His being out for an extended period would allow Barca to clear 80% of his wages from the salary cap until mid-season.

That would have freed funds to register new signings, but La Liga rules require a player to be out for at least four months. Ter Stegen had publicly stated his recovery would take three.

On Friday, the 33-year-old signed the authorisation, allowing Barca to send the relevant medical report to La Liga.

A club statement confirmed the case was closed and the captaincy restored with immediate effect.

Earlier on Friday, Ter Stegen stressed on social media he was fully willing to collaborate and dismissed suggestions his absence was being used to manipulate squad registration.

“All of the club’s signings and renewals were completed prior to my surgery,” he wrote (via Twitter).

Ter Stegen added that he hoped the situation could be resolved “through dialogue and responsibility.”

Barcelona have signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United and brought in Joan Garcia from Espanyol this summer, but needed leeway to register them.

Ter Stegen’s report will allow them to register the pair for now.

The Barca stalwart has made over 400 appearances for the Catalans since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014.

He has won six La Liga titles and the Champions League. However, the club signed a long-term replacement in Garcia.

The row appears settled, but the squad will vote on the leadership group ahead of the new campaign, meaning the final word on the captaincy may yet come from the dressing room.

That should be interesting!