From the Bench to Montilivi: Ter Stegen's Girona Loan to Reignite his World Cup Dream
16 January 2026
Key details
It appears that the German goalkeeper's benching in the Copa del Rey clash against Racing Santander accelerated a winter loan move to Girona through the end of the season so he can play regularly and chase a spot with Germany before the World Cup.
Hansi Flick had signaled last month in Guadalajara during Barça's cup run that Ter Stegen would feature only in that particular match, a stance later confirmed at the El Sardinero stadium in Santander.
This situation sped up the departure during the January transfer window.
Cadena SER reported that Girona were finalizing a loan deal for Ter Stegen (33) until the end of the season.
Marc-André ter Stegen now awaits Barcelona's green light to avoid a Sunday trip to San Sebastián to face Real Sociedad in the league.
The goalkeeper, who joined Barcelona in 2014, needs regular minutes to realise his dream of starting for Germany at the summer World Cup, a point reiterated by both Julian Nagelsmann and Rudi Voller. With the agreement of Girona coach Michel and sporting director Quique Cárcel, Girona will contribute close to one million euros over the loan period.
Barcelona, for its part, will facilitate the deal by covering about 90% of the goalkeeper's salary until June, and Ter Stegen has chosen Girona for family reasons, preferring to stay near Barcelona so he can see his kids.
Although his Barcelona contract runs through 2028, the situation will remain open this summer as the club weighs its options. He still hoped for some minutes with Barça to convince Nagelsmann to recall him, but Montilivi's appeal—where Girona want a keeper who can edge Paolo Gazzaniga—will offer him weekly top-level competition while staying close to Barcelona.
Punchline 1: If bench time were a job, Ter Stegen just landed a six-month contract with a bigger chance of worldwide fame. Punchline 2: Montilivi might become the world’s most convenient World Cup tryout—credit cards not needed, just a plane ticket and a goalkeeper’s dream.
