Marc-Andre ter Stegen has urged Andres Iniesta to remain at Barcelona in the wake of recent comments that he is considering a move to China.
As reported by Sky Sports, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has had his say on Andres Iniesta’s recent comments surrounding a possible move to China in the summer transfer window. The German goalkeeper has urged the Barcelona captain to stay put at Camp Nou, iterating that the club needs its skipper for several more seasons.
Iniesta is the epitome of everything that Barcelona is as a club, emanating from their fabled La Masia academy before going on to enjoy unprecedented success at Camp Nou. Since breaking into the first-team setup in 2002, the player has amassed over 700 appearances for the Blaugrana, winning every trophy at the club and international levels.
Over the last 16 years, Iniesta has been a core member of various squads that have dominated Spain and Europe. The latest of these sides is under the tutelage of Ernesto Valverde, whose maiden campaign as the manager looks set to end with a La Liga triumph, with Barcelona also aiming for yet another treble.
At the international level, as iterated earlier, Iniesta has already laid his hands on every trophy imaginable, even famously scoring the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But, his fairy tale journey at Barcelona might just be about to come to an end.
Iniesta revealed last week that he is contemplating a summer move away from Barcelona, with China a likely destination. While he hasn’t made a final decision yet, the 33-year-old is expected to decide whether to stay at or leave Camp Nou before the end of April.
The comments have come as a surprise, with Iniesta signing a lifetime contract with Barcelona earlier this season. But, with Philippe Coutinho signed as his long-term successor, and Arthur set to arrive in the summer, the competition for places is set to increase.
And the fans made their feelings over the comments known as they chanted for the midfielder to stay. First-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has echoed the sentiments as well, urging the Barcelona captain to stay put.
“It’s a personal decision and everyone hopes he stays at Barca because he’s a great person. We know that we have to keep going as a team until the end of the season and we need him right now and for many more years. We are thinking about the present and he’ll make the decision. I hope he stays but the only person that knows what to do is him.”
Manager Ernesto Valverde has also urged Iniesta to remain at Camp Nou, although he too, has acknowledged that everyone at Barcelona will honour his decision, should he choose to leave at the end of the season.
Manchester City are also reportedly in the fray to sign Iniesta, if he decides to depart from the Nou Camp. Everything now hinges on the player’s final decision, although it is clear that no one at Barcelona is prepared to see the 33-year-old leave just yet.
