Lothar Matthäus, the former German footballer, has advised Marc-André ter Stegen, the goalkeeper for FC Barcelona, to leave the club if he wants to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Matthäus emphasized that Ter Stegen is no longer expected to play for Barcelona and suggested that staying could jeopardize his chances of being selected for the German national team. This perspective aligns with recent indications from Barcelona's coaching staff, particularly head coach Hansi Flick, who appears to favor Joan García as the club's primary goalkeeper moving forward. Flick has also announced that ten players from the current squad will be excluded from Barcelona's upcoming pre-season tour in Asia, with Ter Stegen among those likely to be left out. Additionally, Flick is seeking to strengthen the squad by acquiring an offensive player, specifically a left-winger, while deprioritizing reinforcements in other positions. The situation reflects a clear shift in Barcelona's goalkeeping hierarchy and strategic planning ahead of the new season.