Messi Warns Flick: Starting Ter Stegen Could Jeopardize Barcelona’s Entire Season
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s decision to start Marc-André ter Stegen in the La Liga clash against Real Valladolid has stirred controversy—drawing particular concern from club legend Lionel Messi.
According to sources close to the Argentine icon, Messi is alarmed by Ter Stegen’s return to the starting lineup and fears it could destabilize the team just as they’re hitting form. He reportedly believes that keeping Ter Stegen in goal—especially for key fixtures—puts the club’s entire campaign at risk.
Messi’s reservations stem from painful memories of past seasons, where he believes costly errors from Ter Stegen contributed to major setbacks in Europe and undermined Barcelona’s reputation. In Messi’s view, trusting Ter Stegen now could invite history to repeat itself.
Despite Flick’s intentions to foster harmony within the squad—particularly among experienced players—his call to start Ter Stegen has drawn scrutiny. Critics argue that this isn’t the time for risky decisions, especially with the team chasing domestic and European titles.
With tensions high and expectations even higher, Messi’s warning serves as a serious signal to Flick that any misstep could derail months of progress. As the season nears its climax, every decision counts—and this one may prove pivotal.
