Ter Stegen’s challenge to Manuel Neuer
Marc-André ter Stegen wants to be number one
Quelle: AFP/PAU BARRENA
Marc-André ter Stegen has been a regular goalkeeper at FC Barcelona for years and has won many titles with the club. In the national team, however, he only plays second fiddle. This shall be changed now.
Marc-André ter Stegen has announced Manuel Neuer will fight for the number one goal in the national team, but he still wishes a successful comeback of the currently injured Bayern goalkeeper. “I hope he has a good rehab and comes back strong. I wish that for him on a human level, but also as a footballer and colleague,” he told Kicker.
Irrespective of this, the professional, who has been under contract with FC Barcelona since 2014 and won the Champions League with the club, wants to seize the moment and recommend himself as a first-choice goalkeeper for the DFB team. Ter Stegen plans to be between the posts at the 2024 home European Championship. “That’s my goal, of course,” emphasized the 30-year-old, who despite his success at FC Barcelona in the national team has mostly only been a substitute for years.
This should change, says Ter Stegen: “I also want to be an important player in the national team. That’s why it’s important for me now that I play a lot at Barcelona and in the national team and do my best.”
International matches against Peru and Belgium
Since making his debut for Germany in 2012, Ter Stegen has played 30 international matches, half of which were friendlies. Although he won the Confederations Cup with Germany in 2017, he was usually number two behind Neuer. However, the 36-year-old Neuer is now missing due to a broken leg. In the first international matches of the year at the end of March against Peru and Belgium, Ter Stegen will be able to prove himself in at least one game. Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp (32) from Eintracht Frankfurt is also hoping for more appearances.
“I believe that my performances in recent years have been right and that I have matured in the national team and am ready for the next step,” said former Gladbacher ter Stegen. He will “do everything to ensure that I can show my maximum performance in the position I am now in and help the team”.
