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Barcelona have the future Manuel Neuer in Marc-André ter Stegen

By Chiranjib Ghosh

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 29: Marc Andre ter-Stegen of Germany reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Italy at Allianz Arena on March 29, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 29: Marc Andre ter-Stegen of Germany reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Italy at Allianz Arena on March 29, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /
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Marc-André ter Stegen’s journey has been similar to Manuel Neuer’s

Summary of Neuer’s career

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 01: Manuel Neuer of Bayern Muenchen in action during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Bayern Muenchen at Philips Stadion on November 1, 2016 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 01: Manuel Neuer of Bayern Muenchen in action during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Bayern Muenchen at Philips Stadion on November 1, 2016 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

Manuel Neuer broke into the Schalke first team squad after spending 16 years in the youth system in 2006. He broke into the first-team after Frank Rost left the club for Hamburg. After that, there was no looking back for Neuer.

He continued his rise to the top until Bayern Munich signed him for €22 million to help him grow into a world-class goalkeeper. That he continued to do, until he led Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and earned a third-place finish in the year’s Ballon d’Or.

Since then, critics and fans alike consider Neuer to be the best goalkeeper in the world.

Summary of Ter Stegen’s career

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 08: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 08: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

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On the other hand, Marc-André ter Stegen also spent 16 years in the Borussia Mönchengladbach youth system until he broke into the first-team squad in 2010. Lucien Favre then gave him a starting spot after earlier custodian Logan Bailly left the club.

Then, he did wonders for Mönchengladbach in goal, helping the club to finish 4th in the Bundesliga. As a result of his brilliant cup form, Joachim Löw called him up to the national team.

Although the presence of Manuel Neuer in the squad thwarted Ter Stegen’s efforts to break into the first-team, he continued performing for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Barcelona decided to sign him in 2014. Although he did not appear in the La Liga in his first season, he was the goalie as Barcelona won the Champions League.

After the departure of Claudio Bravo, ter Stegen has stepped up his game. He featured as Germany won the Confederations Cup. Also, now, he is starting in all competitions for Barcelona.

Ter Stegen is the natural successor to Manuel Neuer

SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 29: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Germany reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Semi-Final between Germany and Mexico at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 29: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Germany reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Semi-Final between Germany and Mexico at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

There are many similarities between the playing styles of Marc-André ter Stegen and Manuel Neuer. Both of these goalkeepers are very good with the ball at their feet. They are also sweeper keepers, i.e, they do not shy away from rushing out to smother the ball when the attacker is in behind the defence.

The only difference between these two stars is the stardom itself, Manuel Neuer is the undisputed No.1. While on the other hand, ter Stegen has not reached those heights himself. But he is a lot younger than Neuer.

Manuel Neuer is not getting any younger and he will not last much longer at the top. The future of goalkeeping lies in the hands of sweeper keepers, and players who can play in that role cannot sustain their career like the normal goalkeepers.

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When Neuer starts to decline, Marc-André ter Stegen will take his place in world football. Barcelona should be lucky that they have the future best goalkeeper in the world.