Ter Stegen Returns, No Admin Storm Ahead: Barça Keeps Garcia's Seat Secure

Good news for Barcelona: Ter Stegen's return doesn't carry administrative burdens, and Joan Garcia's registration is secured through the end of the season.

The German goalkeeper's comeback to the La Liga list after a seven-month absence is official, his first league appearance since last season when he sat on the bench at San Mames in a game that marked his last active La Liga appearance.

This week he returned after being included in Barça's squad to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the group stage of the Champions League, even though his sporting status has not changed since Barça signed Joan Garcia in the summer.

According to Sport, Ter Stegen's return to La Liga won't have administrative consequences, despite fan concerns about how his recovery might affect Garcia's registration, especially when compared to last season's Christensen vs Olmo anecdote.

Last year, Olmo's registration was guaranteed only through December 31, after Barça relied on Christensen's long-term injury to register him early in the season.

But this time La Liga told Sport there is no conflict, as Garcia's registration is secured for the full season because the wage space freed by Ter Stegen's absence is enough, without needing to re-register him from January to create extra space.

Club sources also say Garcia's stay through the season's end wasn't in doubt, provided the medical committee confirms that Ter Stegen's injury exceeded four months, which it did, enabling Barça to maintain a larger wage margin.

The article explains the difference: the financial margin created last season by Christensen's absence wasn't enough to cover Olmo's full salary, leaving his registration in doubt.

Regarding Joan Garcia, La Liga confirmed registration for the full season, given that the salary cap freed this year by Ter Stegen's absence was sufficient, without needing to re-register the Catalan keeper from January—a task the club will manage starting in 2026/2027.

Punchline time: If payroll drama were a sport, Barça just filed it under training — and the whistle blew before the ref even looked at the money. Second punchline: When in doubt about contracts, remember this: the only thing saving more than a clean sheet is a clean budget. And yes, I’ll have a season-long subscription to that joke.