1. Early life
Marc-André ter Stegen was born on 30 April 1992 in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He is of Dutch descent through his father, though he identifies solely as German and holds German nationality. Ter Stegen joined the youth academy of his hometown club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, at the early age of four in 1996. Even in his childhood, he was recognized as a player with immense potential, destined for future stardom.
1.1. Youth career
Ter Stegen progressed through every age group in the Borussia Mönchengladbach youth system until 2010. During this period, he played for various German youth national teams, including the Germany U-16 team from 2007 to 2008 (7 appearances), the U-17 team from 2008 to 2009 (16 appearances), the U-18 team from 2009 to 2010 (8 appearances), and the U-19 team from 2010 to 2011 (5 appearances).
He was a key member of the Germany U-17 squad that won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. His impressive performances in that tournament earned him a spot in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament, an honor he shared with Mattia Perin. Following this success, he also participated in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. From 2012 to 2015, he played for the Germany U-21 team, making 13 appearances.
2. Club career
Ter Stegen's professional career began at his hometown club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, before he made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, where he has achieved significant success.
2.1. Borussia Mönchengladbach
Ter Stegen spent his foundational professional years at Borussia Mönchengladbach, progressing from the reserve team to become the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the senior squad.
2.1.1. 2010-11 season
In the first half of the 2010-11 season, Ter Stegen distinguished himself as a standout player for their reserve team and was frequently included on the first-team bench. While he was enjoying a successful season, the senior team was struggling, mired at the bottom of the Bundesliga with only 16 points after 22 matches. This led to the dismissal of manager Michael Frontzeck on 14 February 2011, who was replaced by Lucien Favre.
The team's performance soon improved, but the inconsistent form of first-choice goalkeeper Logan Bailly hampered their progress. Fans criticized Bailly's focus, leading to demands for the new manager to utilize the young prodigy, Ter Stegen. Favre eventually lost patience with Bailly and, on 10 April 2011, benched him in favor of Ter Stegen for the match against 1. FC Köln, which Mönchengladbach won 5-1. Ter Stegen did not disappoint, bringing a new level of solidity to the defense. He retained his spot for the remainder of the season, recording four clean sheets in the final five matches as Mönchengladbach successfully avoided relegation through a playoff victory against VfL Bochum. During this run, he notably delivered a world-class display against eventual champions Borussia Dortmund, making a series of crucial saves to secure a famous 1-0 victory.
2.1.2. 2011-12 season
Ter Stegen's position as the first-choice goalkeeper was solidified when Bailly was loaned to Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax, and Ter Stegen, who previously wore the number 21 shirt, was handed the coveted No. 1 jersey.
During the summer transfer window, Bayern Munich signed Manuel Neuer from FC Schalke 04. Neuer made his debut against Ter Stegen's Mönchengladbach at the Allianz Arena. Contrary to pundits' predictions, Ter Stegen delivered another inspiring performance, while Neuer made an error that contributed to Bayern's 1-0 defeat. Following this match, Borussia Mönchengladbach embarked on an unexpected title challenge, with Ter Stegen and fellow young talent Marco Reus providing much of the inspiration. The team finished fourth in the league, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
2.1.3. 2012-13 season
Following the departures of key players like Marco Reus to Borussia Dortmund and Dante to Bayern Munich, Ter Stegen emerged as Mönchengladbach's primary star for the season, maintaining his first-choice status. In February 2013, reports circulated that Ter Stegen had signed a pre-agreement with La Liga club FC Barcelona. However, Ter Stegen himself later denied these claims.
2.1.4. 2013-14 season
Despite strong speculation linking him with Barcelona, Ter Stegen remained at Mönchengladbach for the new season. On 6 January 2014, he officially rejected a new contract offer from the club, further intensifying rumors about his future move. In his final home match for Borussia Mönchengladbach, a 3-1 victory against 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 5 May, Ter Stegen shared a tearful farewell with the fans.
2.2. FC Barcelona
Marc-André ter Stegen's career at FC Barcelona has been marked by significant competition for a starting spot, major trophy successes, and his eventual establishment as one of the club's key figures and captains.
2.2.1. 2014-15 season
On 19 May 2014, Ter Stegen was officially announced as Barcelona's new goalkeeper, joining alongside Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo following the departures of Víctor Valdés and José Manuel Pinto. On 22 May 2014, he signed a five-year contract, committing him to the club until June 2019, with a transfer fee of 12.00 M EUR and a buyout clause set at 80.00 M EUR. Ter Stegen expressed his belief that joining Barcelona was the right move and aimed to settle quickly at the club.
He sustained an injury prior to the opening league match of the season. As a result, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique designated Bravo as the starting goalkeeper for league matches, a role in which Bravo went on to win the Zamora Trophy. Ter Stegen did not feature in Barcelona's victorious league campaign. However, he was established as the first-choice goalkeeper for both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. He made his Champions League debut on 17 September, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 home victory over APOEL. He was instrumental in Barcelona's 3-1 Copa del Rey final win against Athletic Bilbao on 30 May 2015. A week later, he played in the Champions League final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where Barcelona defeated Juventus 3-1. For his spectacular goal-line save against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, he received the "Best Save" award. His contributions were vital to Barcelona securing a historic treble in his debut season.
2.2.2. 2015-16 season
Ter Stegen's second season commenced with a victory in the 2015 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla in Tbilisi on 11 August. Despite Barcelona initially leading 4-1, he conceded three more goals, sending the match into extra time, which Barcelona ultimately won 5-4. He made his La Liga debut on 12 September 2015 in a 2-1 victory against Atlético Madrid.
In March 2016, Ter Stegen voiced his dissatisfaction with Luis Enrique's rotation policy, stating, "In the long run, these 25 games per season are not enough for me. The decision is made by the coach. I hope that the quality I've shown recently is rewarded."
2.2.3. 2016-17 season
Ter Stegen started the season with injuries, which caused him to miss the 2016 Supercopa de España and initial league matches. He became Barcelona's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper after Claudio Bravo's transfer to Manchester City on 25 August 2016. On 13 September 2016, in a UEFA Champions League match against Celtic, Ter Stegen conceded a penalty but then saved it from Moussa Dembélé, maintaining the score at 1-0 in a game Barcelona ultimately won 7-0. However, on 2 October 2016, he had a difficult performance, making two critical errors that contributed to Barcelona's 4-3 defeat against Celta de Vigo. He later apologized for his mistakes but affirmed that he would not change his playing style.
Ter Stegen earned praise for his role in Barcelona's incredible 6-1 comeback victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round-of-16 second leg. He notably drew a crucial foul from PSG midfielder Marco Verratti in the opposition half, which directly led to Sergi Roberto's decisive 94th-minute winner, keeping Barcelona in the Champions League hunt. Despite qualifying for the quarterfinals, Barcelona was eventually eliminated by Juventus. He proved even more decisive in the second El Clásico of the season, making a staggering 12 saves in a 3-2 away victory against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which kept Barcelona in the La Liga title race, trailing Real Madrid by three points. On 29 May 2017, Ter Stegen signed a new contract with Barcelona, extending his stay until 2022 and raising his buyout clause to 180.00 M EUR.
2.2.4. 2017-18 season
Ter Stegen carried his strong form from the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup into the 2017-18 season. In the first half of the season, he achieved 15 clean sheets in 22 matches. On 14 October 2017, he made several crucial saves, including two well-placed shots from Antoine Griezmann of Atlético Madrid, securing a 1-1 draw at the newly rebuilt Wanda Metropolitano and preserving Barcelona's unbeaten record in La Liga. On 28 October 2017, he delivered a phenomenal performance against Athletic Bilbao in a 2-0 win, denying Aritz Aduriz in a one-on-one situation and making a brilliant diving save from the same opponent in the closing minutes.
By 20 November 2017, with the guidance of then-manager Ernesto Valverde and the good form of teammate Samuel Umtiti, Ter Stegen was instrumental in Barcelona having conceded the fewest goals of any club in Europe's top five leagues, with only four goals against them. On 22 November 2017, he saved a 90th-minute shot from Paulo Dybala of Juventus, mirroring a shot Dybala had scored against him in the previous season's Champions League defeat. This result secured a draw and first place in Group D, qualifying Barcelona for the knockout stage. At this point, Ter Stegen had saved 23 of his last 24 shots on target, boasting an impressive 96 percent save percentage. After an El Clásico match, the Spanish newspaper Marca lauded him as "Messi with gloves."
On 17 April 2018, Ter Stegen captained Barcelona for the first time in a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo at Balaídos, in the absence of regular captains Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi. He competed for the Ricardo Zamora Trophy but ultimately missed out after conceding five goals in the 37th-round match against Levante. Although Barcelona secured two domestic titles (La Liga and Copa del Rey), they were eliminated from the Champions League quarterfinals for the third consecutive year. Despite this, Ter Stegen's personal performance throughout the season cemented his reputation as one of the world's leading goalkeepers.
2.2.5. 2018-19 season
On 12 August, Ter Stegen started for Barcelona in the 2018 Supercopa de España, making a crucial late penalty save to secure a 2-1 victory against Sevilla and claim the title. He went on to win his fourth La Liga title with Barcelona. The team reached the semi-finals of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League, where they were eliminated after a 3-4 aggregate loss to Liverpool, including a decisive 0-4 defeat at Anfield in the second leg. For his strong performances, Ter Stegen was selected by fans for the UEFA Team of the Year 2018, alongside Lionel Messi. He also received the Premi Barça Jugadors award for the 2018-19 season.
2.2.6. 2019-20 season
On 28 September 2019, Ter Stegen provided an assist to Luis Suárez for the opening goal in a 2-0 away victory over Getafe, making him the first Barcelona goalkeeper in the 21st century to record an assist in La Liga. On 6 October, he marked his 200th appearance for Barcelona with a clean sheet in a 4-0 home win against Sevilla. He provided another assist on 7 December to Antoine Griezmann for the first goal in a 5-2 home victory against Mallorca.
For the first time in his Barcelona career, Ter Stegen achieved five consecutive clean sheets, with the fifth coming against Athletic Bilbao in a 1-0 win on 23 June 2020. However, on 14 August 2020, he conceded eight goals in a painful 2-8 defeat against eventual winners Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon. He was also awarded the Trofeo Aldo Rovira for the 2019-20 season.
2.2.7. 2020-21 season
After the conclusion of the previous season, it was announced that Ter Stegen underwent successful knee surgery, which sidelined him for over two months. He missed several matches and was deputized by Neto.
On 20 October, Ter Stegen extended his contract with Barcelona, committing him to the club until 30 June 2025, with an increased buyout clause of 500.00 M EUR. On 24 November, he achieved his 100th clean sheet for Barcelona in a 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in a Champions League group stage match at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv. On 6 January 2021, in a 3-2 league win against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés, Ter Stegen made his 250th appearance for Barcelona in all competitions, becoming the fifth goalkeeper with the most appearances in the club's history. That year, he won the Copa del Rey with the club, defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in the final.
2.2.8. 2021-22 season
In the 2021-22 season, Ter Stegen did not win any trophies with Barcelona. The team finished second in La Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League group stage. They then exited the Europa League in the quarter-finals at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt. The season concluded with a 2-0 home loss to Villarreal.
2.2.9. 2022-23 season
On 30 December 2022, following Gerard Piqué's mid-season retirement, Ter Stegen was named Barcelona's fourth captain. He played a significant role in Barcelona winning his fifth La Liga title. Leading a Barcelona defense bolstered by the additions of Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen, Ter Stegen had an exceptional season, winning his first Zamora Trophy by conceding just 18 goals in 38 appearances. His 26 clean sheets in the league also equaled Paco Liaño's La Liga record set in the 1993-94 season. Despite their domestic league success, Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League group stage and subsequently eliminated from the Europa League in the knockout round play-offs by Manchester United. His contract with Barcelona was extended until June 2028 on 25 August 2023. He was named the La Liga Player of the Season and included in the La Liga Team of the Season for 2022-23. He also received the Premi Barça Jugadors and Trofeo Aldo Rovira awards for this season.
2.2.10. 2023-24 season
During the 2023-24 season, Ter Stegen continued to be a crucial player for Barcelona.
2.2.11. 2024-25 season
On 11 August 2024, following Sergi Roberto's departure, Ter Stegen was announced as Barcelona's new captain. In September, he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon injury during a match against Villarreal, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Despite his injury, he lifted his first trophy as captain on 12 January 2025, when Barcelona secured a 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España final.
3. International career
Marc-André ter Stegen has represented Germany at various youth levels and has been a prominent figure in the senior national team, though often competing for the starting spot with Manuel Neuer.
3.1. Youth level
In 2009, Ter Stegen was a member of the German U-17 team that won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. His performances in this tournament were instrumental in Germany's success. On 27 June 2015, in the semi-finals of the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic, Ter Stegen's Germany U21 team conceded five goals in a match against Portugal U21.
3.2. Senior level
Ter Stegen's strong club performances were rewarded by then-Germany manager Joachim Löw, who called him up to Germany's provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2012. However, he did not make the final 23-man squad. He made his senior international debut on 26 May 2012, in a 5-3 friendly loss against Switzerland. In his second international match on 15 August, he notably saved a penalty from Lionel Messi in a 1-3 loss against Argentina, coming on after Ron-Robert Zieler was sent off. In mid-2013, during a tour to the United States, he failed to control a backpass from Benedikt Höwedes, resulting in an own goal during a 4-3 defeat against the USA on 2 June. His first clean sheet for Germany came on 13 May 2014 in a 0-0 friendly draw against Poland. He was not included in Germany's final squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Ter Stegen was part of Germany's UEFA Euro 2016 squad but remained on the bench throughout the tournament as a backup to Manuel Neuer. Germany reached the semi-finals, where they were eliminated after a 2-0 loss to hosts France.
At the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Ter Stegen started in all of Germany's matches, except the first group-stage game, as Germany went on to win the tournament. His outstanding performance in the final against Chile earned him the Man of the Match award. During the 2017-18 season, he served as Germany's starting goalkeeper in the absence of an injured Manuel Neuer.
On 15 May 2018, Ter Stegen was included in Germany's 27-man provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and on 4 June 2018, manager Joachim Löw confirmed his place in the final 23-man squad. Despite his strong club form and Neuer's recent return from a long-term injury, Löw chose Neuer as the starting goalkeeper. Ter Stegen expressed his disappointment but pledged his full support to Neuer during the tournament. Germany was eliminated from the group stage. He was also part of the German squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which also saw a group stage exit.
In September 2019, Ter Stegen engaged in a minor public dispute with Manuel Neuer regarding the competition for Germany's number one goalkeeper position. In May 2021, Ter Stegen was omitted from Germany's UEFA Euro 2020 squad (played in 2021) after choosing to undergo surgery to address a patellar tendon injury in his right knee. He was named in Germany's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. Following the conclusion of the tournament, he became Germany's starting goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer retired from international football in August 2024.
4. Style of play
Ter Stegen is widely described as a tall, agile, and consistent goalkeeper, praised for his quick reflexes, sound decision-making, and exceptional shot-stopping abilities between the posts. He is strong in aerial duels, excels in one-on-one situations, and effectively communicates with his defense, a testament to his strong personality. His ability to read the game and his speed in rushing off his line enable him to anticipate opponents who have breached the offside trap outside the penalty area.
Highly competent with the ball at his feet, Ter Stegen is known for his precise control and accurate distribution, frequently operating as a sweeper-keeper due to his capability to play the ball out from the back. He often utilizes his legs to close down attacking players and make crucial saves, a technique often characterized as a "German goalkeeping style." He possesses strong fundamental goalkeeping technique and an excellent positional sense. In 2020, former Spain and Barcelona goalkeeper Salvador Sadurní noted the striking similarity between Ter Stegen's playing style and that of his German compatriot Manuel Neuer.
Regarded as a highly promising talent in his youth, Ter Stegen has since established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. He has been compared to former German international Oliver Kahn, sometimes being called "Mini-Kahn," though Ter Stegen prefers to be recognized for his own unique style. However, he has also cited Oliver Kahn as a childhood hero in an interview. Having played as a midfielder in his youth, he possesses excellent footwork. He is also known for his "starfish saves," where he extends his limbs to cover as much of the goal as possible. He excels at handling crosses, contributing to build-up play, executing long passes, and accurate throwing. He wears Adidas brand goalkeeper gloves and cleats. Due to his exceptional reflexes and ball control, he has earned the nickname "The Berlin Wall." He reportedly lost two front teeth in a training ground accident with former Mönchengladbach coach Uwe Kamps. He maintains a respectful rivalry with fellow German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, acknowledging that while their competitive relationship has had its difficult moments, mutual respect prevails. In a Champions League match, his significant save against Paulo Dybala of Juventus earned praise from legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. He also maintained a good relationship with former Barcelona second goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, expressing understanding of Cillessen's challenging role and appreciating his quality as a backup.
5. Personal life
Marc-André ter Stegen was born in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. He married his long-time girlfriend, Daniela Jehle, in 2017 in Sitges, a town near Barcelona. On 28 December 2019, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Ben. Ter Stegen values interaction with his fans and is often seen engaging with them on social media. He once sent a message in Japanese to Andrés Iniesta, wishing him good luck on his transfer to Vissel Kobe.
6. Career statistics
6.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Borussia Mönchengladbach II | 2009-10 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2010-11 | 15 | 0 | - | - | - | 15 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 18 | 0 | - | - | - | 18 | 0 | |||||
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2010-11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2011-12 | 34 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 0 | ||||
| 2012-13 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | - | 45 | 0 | |||
| 2013-14 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 35 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 108 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 127 | 0 | ||
| Barcelona | 2014-15 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 0 | - | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2015-16 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2016-17 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | ||
| 2017-18 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| 2018-19 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
| 2019-20 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | ||
| 2020-21 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 0 | ||
| 2021-22 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
| 2022-23 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
| 2023-24 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
| 2024-25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Total | 288 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 419 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 414 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 102 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 564 | 0 | ||
6.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | |||
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 42 | 0 | |
7. Honours
Marc-André ter Stegen has accumulated numerous titles and individual accolades throughout his career, both at the club and international levels.
7.1. Club
Barcelona
- La Liga: 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2022-23
- Copa del Rey: 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21
- Supercopa de España: 2018, 2023, 2025
- UEFA Champions League: 2014-15
- UEFA Super Cup: 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2015
7.2. International
Germany U17
- UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2009
Germany
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017
7.3. Individual
- UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2009
- Fritz Walter Medal U17 Bronze: 2009
- Fritz Walter Medal U19 Gold: 2011
- kicker Goalkeeper of the Year: 2012
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014-15, 2018-19
- UEFA Save of the Season: 2014-15
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2018
- ESM Team of the Year: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2022-23
- Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 2022-23
- La Liga Team of the Season: 2022-23
- La Liga Player of the Season: 2022-23
- Premi Barça Jugadors: 2018-19, 2022-23
- Trofeo Aldo Rovira: 2019-20, 2022-23
- FIFPro World 11 Team 5th: 2018