Major Shifts in the Status of Top Goalkeepers: Ter Stegen and Donnarumma Between Glory and Obscurity

Football is a world full of sudden dramatic changes, where many players’ careers can swiftly shift from the heights of fame to the sidelines. Among the most prominent examples are the two great goalkeepers, Marc-André ter Stegen at Barcelona and Gianluigi Donnarumma at Paris Saint-Germain, who quickly transformed from undisputed stars in goal to being out of their teams’ plans.

In previous seasons, ter Stegen and Donnarumma were cornerstones for Barcelona and PSG respectively, with no goalkeeper challenging their position except in cases of injury or cup matches. However, recent developments and the arrival of new goalkeepers have significantly reduced their roles.

According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, PSG coach Luis Enrique does not intend to rely on Donnarumma as the first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season, especially after signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille for €40 million. Similarly, ter Stegen is facing a comparable situation at Barcelona, where Juan García has become the first-choice keeper under coach Hans Flick, while ter Stegen has dropped to third-choice behind Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.

Ter Stegen joined Barcelona in the summer of 2014 from Borussia Mönchengladbach in a €12 million deal. He quickly established himself as the main goalkeeper after Claudio Bravo’s departure. However, a serious injury last season sidelined him for a long period, and his subsequent performances upon return were below expectations. This, combined with recurring back problems requiring surgery, has weakened his chances of regaining his starting spot and affected his preparations for representing Germany in the upcoming World Cup.

As for Donnarumma, who moved to PSG from AC Milan in 2021 on a free transfer, his future at the French club is currently uncertain. PSG management wants a fixed first-choice goalkeeper to avoid the rotation policy that previously caused tension within the squad and has chosen Chevalier as their main keeper after giving him assurances. With Donnarumma’s contract ending in the summer of 2026 and no renewal agreement reached, the club is open to selling him, with interest reportedly coming from Manchester United and Galatasaray.

Ultimately, the two veteran goalkeepers face a major challenge in reclaiming their positions or moving to other clubs where their star status can be preserved, while a new generation of young goalkeepers is ready to write a new chapter in the histories of Barcelona and PSG.