Barcelona's Squad Shake-Up: Ter Stegen's Absence and Surprise Shirt Number Changes

As Barcelona prepares for the upcoming LaLiga season, their squad registration on the official league website has raised eyebrows. One of the most surprising developments is the absence of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the roster.

The German shot-stopper's omission comes at a tense time, as he is currently in a standoff with the club after refusing to sign off on the medical report from his recent surgery. This has created friction behind the scenes, and it remains unclear if Ter Stegen's lack of registration is directly linked to his long-term injury or if the club is preparing for a different move involving him.

Elsewhere, Inigo Martinez, who is set to join Al-Nassr this summer, has also been stripped of his number 5 shirt. This number has now been handed to young defender Pau Cubarsi, indicating that the club sees him as a key figure going forward.

On a more positive note, Lamine Yamal has officially been awarded the prestigious number 10 shirt, a clear sign of the club's trust in the young player following his recent contract extension until 2031. This move suggests that Yamal is expected to play a significant role in Barcelona's plans for the upcoming season.

However, the situation becomes more complex with Barcelona's latest signings. Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford still do not have assigned numbers, and Wojciech Szczesny, whose contract was recently renewed, has yet to be re-registered.

Additionally, promising talents Gerard Martin and Marc Bernal, both expected to be integrated into the first team, are also missing from the LaLiga list.

With only 17 players registered at the moment, the minimum required to begin the LaLiga season, Barcelona must act quickly to ensure they are not left severely short-handed as the new campaign kicks off.