by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The summer of 2024 might be the most memorable one in the career of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as the 32-year-old not only got promoted to FC Barcelona's new captain, but also has reached the status of Germany's No. 1 goalkeeper after over 12 years.
Having to return to the bench ahead of the 2024 UEFA Euro might have been the toughest test for Ter Stegen's heart and soul, when his competitor Manuel Neuer returned after over a year of absence due to a skiing accident.
Ter Stegen once spoke about "a slap in his face," but kept silent and accepted his role off public attention. The weeks without a single competitive minute between the posts, along with endlessly seeming training sessions at present, appear like the most challenging acid test of his lifetime. Having taken care of the goal of one of the world's leading clubs didn't seem enough to turn things for the better.
The 40 appearances for the German national team since May 2012 might tell the story of a man waiting without a guarantee to reach his desired goal.
Ten years ago, Ter Stegen left his home club Borussia Monchengladbach to join Barcelona after 18 years of traveling through all age levels since 1996.
Now having played 284 games in the Spanish giant's shirt, his patience paid off when it came to the national team. The prospect of taking care of the German goal as the undisputed first choice at the 2026 FIFA World Cup seems a well-deserved reward.
Ter Stegen often spoke about the mental challenge of keeping his focus despite the setbacks. As reasonable as his promotion might be, the important step is coming at a time when the German team is facing a substantial generation change.
Until things get into place following the resignation of Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan, it seems on him more than ever to keep the goal clean. Replacing a cornerstone such as Neuer appears a bigger challenge.
After five La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League triumph in 2015, Ter Stegen might have reached new shores, but at the same time must deal with a re-launch of the 2014 world champions.
The upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters against Hungary and the Netherlands will be the first exam.
"He is the natural successor as our No. 1 due to his continuously great performances for Barca," said German coach Julian Nagelsmann.
There seems not much space to enjoy the desired moment, and Ter Stegen needs to show the same lion-hearted attitude he delivered when heading for the job in Spain a decade ago. ■
