When will Marc-Andre ter Stegen return for Barcelona? Report provides update on German keeper's return date

According to a report by Diario SPORT (via Barca Universal), Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will return in April. The Germany international injured his patellar tendon in September 2024. Hansi Flick's team brought Wojciech Szczesny in October to stand between the sticks.

Ter Stegen has been with the Catalan side for over a decade, joining in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach for a reported €12 million. He has made 420 appearances for Blaugrana, keeping 175 clean sheets and conceding 412 times. The 32-year-old has won five LaLiga titles, five Copa del Reys, and one UEFA Champions League with the club.

Since joining Barcelona in October 2024, Szczesny has been solid. In his 11 games for the Catalan side, he has kept six clean sheets and conceded nine goals. He is contracted to Blaugrana until the summer of 2025.

Ter Stegen would hope to return in time for the end of the campaign, though his long-term future remains secure. His contract with the Catalan side runs until the summer of 2028.

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"The purchase of referees has not been proven" - LaLiga president says Barcelona will not face major punishment in Negreira case

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has said Barcelona will not face any sporting punishment in the Negreira scandal. In 2023, the Catalan side were charged with corruption for allegedly paying €7 million to a company linked to former vice-president of Spain's refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Objective, Tebas said (via FotMob):

"I do not make the sporting laws; I have to comply with what is established. In this case, the statute of limitations for crimes is three years, and we cannot invent a different statute of limitations. So, no, there would not be an administrative relegation for this reason."

He added:

"The scope of the sanction for the crime of sporting corruption has many nuances, and I am not going to go into too much detail because we would be doing a course in criminal law here. But, in summary, the sanctions can range from the dissolution of an entity or commercial company to financial fines."

Tebas continued:

"What needs to be clarified is that, in this investigation, the purchase of referees has not been proven. Data and evidence have been requested by all parties, but there is no evidence that a referee has been bought. What is clear is the payment to Negreira, and that is already sporting corruption. But when you read or hear certain things, it seems like they are exaggerated."

While Barcelona are unlikely to receive a sporting punishment, they could be subject to a financial punishment. The Catalan side are said to have received reports and videos of referees in exchange for the payments.