Ter Stegen: 'Real Madrid just as good without Ronaldo'

Marc-André ter Stegen is determined not to underestimate Real Madrid after they lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

Real Madrid will be just as difficult to beat without Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Portugal captain Ronaldo joined Juventus this month in a 117-million-euro deal after nine trophy-laden years at the Santiago Bernabéu, in which he won four Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles.

The 33-year-old built up an impressive record against Barça during his time in Spain, too, with his strike in May's 2-2 draw at Camp Nou taking him level with Alfredo Di Stéfano on 18 Clásico goals.

Real Madrid "have an amazing team, like every year"

But Ter Stegen is wary of underestimating Madrid in 2018-19, even though their all-time top goalscorer has now departed for Italy.

"I think they have an amazing team, like every year, just like us," he said. "It'll be equally difficult to play against them with or without Ronaldo.

"You have to understand that this is a player who made the difference in a lot of games, but we focus ourselves on our game and we know that, if we're confident, we have the chance to do it all."

Ter Stegen in contention for vice-captaincy role

Ter Stegen is preparing for his fifth season as a Barça player and he has been tipped for one of the vice-captaincy roles in the squad, now that Lionel Messi appears set to inherit the armband from Andrés Iniesta.

"It's something that the squad will decide, but it's an honour that my name is being talked about for the captaincy position," said the Germany keeper.

"It would be an honour to be one of the captains, of course it would. But for me it's not the most important thing. We need more than four captains."