While recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon, Ter Stegen sat down for an interview with Blind. In the conversation, he reflected on his career and shared insights into his time playing alongside Messi at Barcelona from 2014 to 2021. While the duo secured numerous titles together, including a Champions League trophy, Ter Stegen described the dynamic between them as occasionally tense.

“Leo is a special character, who is at this [high] level because he’s motivated by a lot of things that we don’t see,” Ter Stegen revealed. “There were moments when things didn’t work between us because he was annoyed with me and I was annoyed with him”.

The German keeper didn’t stop there, sharing an anecdote that highlighted Messi’s unique abilities. “I think Leo’s probably the only player that, if he wants to shoot right at your face, he can shoot right at your face,” Ter Stegen laughed. “Other players would probably shoot somewhere else, but he’s got the ability to hit [the target] accurately”.

Despite their occasional differences, Ter Stegen was quick to praise Messi’s brilliance on the pitch. “Leo is simply a super impressive character on the pitch and he plays with an ease that you won’t see again, I’m 100% sure of that,” he said. “He has the ability that if he wants to make you look bad [on the pitch], then he does it with such ease and with a pass or a shot that you say afterwards: ‘That was impossible!’”

Ter Stegen reflects on Messi’s leadership

While Messi is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker, his leadership style has always stood apart from previous captains like Carles Puyol. Messi’s approach was quieter, leading more by example than with words.

“We were in the dressing room together for a long time, and it was definitely interesting to have him in the team and to see how he leads,” Ter Stegen shared. “Whether it’s my style or not, it was interesting to see. Leo is not a loudspeaker, he works a lot with presence and he doesn’t need to say much, actually”.

Yet when Messi did speak, his words carried immense weight. “When he does say something, everyone listens,” Ter Stegen continued. “And that’s what you actually want to achieve as a captain, that people listen to you and follow you“.

Following years of bad administration under Josep Maria Bartomeu, the pandemic outbreak took another toll in Los Cules’ finances as now they are haunted by one of the worst crisis the La Liga giants have ever faced.

Barca’s poor start to the season, with a squad that looks weakened following Lionel Messi‘s departure, shows that Ronald Koeman‘s replacement – probably Xavi Hernandez – will have a tough job in trying to turn things around. Unless the club receives a significant fee that helps it overcome its financial issues.

Newcastle are reportedly open to spend $63m for Barcelona player

The new ownership wants to reverse Newcastle’s fortunes, primarily by securing the club’s spot in the Premier League. From now on, the Magpies are expected to go all in at the time of looking fornew players.

According to El Catalan, they want to reinforce their talent between the sticks, making Barcelonagoalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen their priority target. The report claims Newcastle wouldn’t have a problem in spending $63m, a fee that Barca would consider in order to fix their financial troubles.

However, the 29-year-old seems reluctant to leave Camp Nou in the near future, and he would only depart to get back to his native Germany. Meanwhile, it’s also true that ter Stegen is a key player for El Blaugrana, especially at this delicate moment. So, it remains to be seen whether Newcastle make a formal bid to try and get the world-class goalkeeper.

However, it is just now that Barca coach Ronald Koeman hasadmitted that it’s highly unlikely. As per Marca, the Germany No.1is expected to remain on the sidelinesuntil the end of November.

“Since last Tuesday Ter Stegen has been working on the pitch and everything is going well for the moment.I don’t think he will make it to the Clasico It’s too early and we don’t have to set a date.We will see when he is readybecause he is a great goalkeeper”, Koeman said at a press conference.

Ter Stegen won 2019-20 Aldo Rovira Award

Ter Stegen underwent knee surgery in August and isyet to make an appearance in the new 2020-21 La Liga season. Once he returns onthe pitch, the goalkeeper will receive the AldoRovira Award for the best Barcaplayer for the previous campaign.