Barcelona continue to make headlines as their pre-season tour rolls on in Asia, with preparations in full swing for their upcoming friendly against FC Seoul. The match is scheduled for July 31 at the iconic Seoul World Cup Stadium, and the Catalan giants are using the occasion to fine-tune their squad under new boss Hansi Flick.
However, even in pre-season, it’s not just about the football. Off the pitch, major developments are taking place involving some of Barcelona’s biggest names — both present and past. In a wave of updates, the club has confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has gone under the knife once again, while defender Ronald Araújo is reportedly considering his options as he battles for a place in the starting XI.
Starting with the goalkeeping department, Barça have released an official statement confirming that Ter Stegen has undergone back surgery. The operation, performed by Dr. Amélie Leglise at the Sports Clinic in Bordeaux Mérignac, comes amid ongoing physical concerns for the German shot-stopper. The club noted that his recovery timeline remains uncertain and will depend on his physical response over the coming weeks.
This marks yet another injury setback for the 33-year-old, who missed a significant chunk of the 2024–25 campaign due to a knee problem. His latest surgery will likely keep him sidelined as the season approaches, casting doubt on his ability to reclaim a starting role — especially with the recent arrival of Joan Garcia from Espanyol.
The timing of the surgery has further fueled speculation that Barcelona might be looking to move on from Ter Stegen. While rumors of a transfer had already been swirling earlier in the summer, this latest development seems to cool any exit talk, at least for now. With his recovery expected to stretch into the new season, a sale appears unlikely in the immediate term.
Meanwhile, the spotlight has shifted to Ronald Araújo. The Uruguayan centre-back, once considered untouchable at Camp Nou, is reportedly assessing his future under Hansi Flick. According to La Vanguardia, Araújo is unhappy with his current role in the squad, where he now finds himself behind Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez in the pecking order.
Araújo signed a contract extension earlier this year that keeps him tied to the club until 2031, but that long-term commitment hasn’t stopped the rumors. Despite his loyalty to Barça, the 26-year-old is understood to be open to a move if his situation does not improve before the season kicks off.
Barcelona themselves are not opposed to the idea of letting Araújo leave if the right offer comes in. For now, the defender is using the pre-season tour as a chance to prove his worth to Flick. Sources suggest that his future will hinge on whether he can convince the new coach to give him a more prominent role.
In other news, former Dutch star Robin van Persie has revealed an emotional detail about his playing career — a missed opportunity to join Barcelona. The ex-Arsenal and Manchester United striker, who famously won the Premier League with the Red Devils in 2012–13, admitted that playing for Barcelona was a dream he never fulfilled.
Van Persie explained that in early 2016, six months after his move to Fenerbahçe, Barcelona showed brief interest in signing him. “I’ve always wanted to play for Barcelona,” he confessed. “I was hoping the deal would go through, but my agent told me it wasn’t going to happen.” The Dutchman later returned to Feyenoord and retired in 2019.
The admission adds a nostalgic twist to the current Barça narrative — a reminder of the club’s historic allure, even for legends who never wore the Blaugrana colors.
As Barcelona continue their preparations in Asia, fans will be watching closely to see how the current stars react to this evolving situation. With Ter Stegen’s future up in the air and Araújo’s role still uncertain, the upcoming weeks could be decisive for both players.
Stay tuned for more updates as Barça approach the final stretch of their pre-season, with the transfer window still wide open and decisions looming.