Barcelona star to benefit from German legend’s international retirement | OneFootball

A headline member of the first-team ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona is in line for an impending boost on the international front.

The player in question? Marc-André ter Stegen.

Goalkeeper Ter Stegen has of course long endured something of a frustrating time of things at international level, with Germany.

As much comes with the 32-year-old having continued to act as 2nd fiddle to Die Mannschaft no.1 and national icon Manuel Neuer.

Ter Stegen’s senior international career was kicked into gear all the way back in 2012, but Neuer’s presence has restricted him to just 40 appearances.

As alluded to above, though, if the latest developments to have been announced in the German camp on Wednesday are anything to go by, then this tally looks set to be on the rise in the very near future.

This comes amid confirmation that Neuer has come to the decision to call time on his Die Mannschaft career.

Now 38, the Bayern Munich standout has identified the time as right to take a step back, opening the door for backup Ter Stegen to, presumably, take over starting duties.

Neuer’s international endeavours come to a close with a total of 124 appearances, 81 wins, 50 clean sheets, and a World Cup title to his name.

Conor Laird | GSFN