Sidelined by a back injury and having undergone surgery, Ter Stegen distanced himself from the club’s management, even going public about his situation. In response, Barça have now symbolically and publicly pushed him aside.

Barcelona have announced that Marc-André ter Stegen has been temporarily stripped of the club's captaincy as the fallout from his lower back surgery continues.

The club said Thursday that central defender Ronald Araujo will act as first-team captain until further notice.