@FootynewsMARC ANDRÉ TER STEGEN just dropped a heavy truth about family that has nothing to do with the pitch. He says his father walked out when he was only 10 years old and they never saw each other again. It sounds harsh but he insists there is no void because you cannot miss something you never had in the first place. That absence actually made him value what he did have close by even more, specifically his mother. She was always his everything, someone he was very connected to, hugging her and staying close all the time. When it came to getting to training on sunny days or the difficult ones, his grandfather was the one who took him there. He never failed to show up and Ter Stegen realized over the years that his granddad found a real purpose in that role of accompanying him. Today those moments fill him with gratitude for a paternal figure who was discreet, constant, and loving without making any noise. For him that steady presence was the right path through life. His biggest dream has nothing to do with football though. The main wish is simply to see his children grow up happy, free, and fulfilled, becoming whoever they want to be. It is the greatest thing he can wish for, mirroring his own childhood where he was surrounded by true love and people who never let go of his hand.

@FootynewsMARC ANDRÉ TER STEGEN just dropped a heavy truth about family that has nothing to do with the pitch. He says his father walked out when he was only 10 years old and they never saw each other again. It sounds harsh but he insists there is no void because you cannot miss something you never had in the first place. That absence actually made him value what he did have close by even more, specifically his mother. She was always his everything, someone he was very connected to, hugging her and staying close all the time. When it came to getting to training on sunny days or the difficult ones, his grandfather was the one who took him there. He never failed to show up and Ter Stegen realized over the years that his granddad found a real purpose in that role of accompanying him. Today those moments fill him with gratitude for a paternal figure who was discreet, constant, and loving without making any noise. For him that steady presence was the right path through life. His biggest dream has nothing to do with football though. The main wish is simply to see his children grow up happy, free, and fulfilled, becoming whoever they want to be. It is the greatest thing he can wish for, mirroring his own childhood where he was surrounded by true love and people who never let go of his hand.