FC Barcelona has been dealt a significant setback with the news of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s serious injury, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Ter Stegen’s Injury and Surgery
Barcelona confirmed that Ter Stegen will be out for an extended period due to a complete tear of the patellar tendon in his right knee, requiring surgery. The club stated, “Medical tests confirmed that first-team goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee. He will undergo surgery on Monday afternoon, and an update will be provided after the procedure.”
How the Injury Happened
Ter Stegen sustained the injury near the end of the first half during a match against Villarreal when he landed awkwardly on his right leg while attempting to catch a cross. Medics immediately carried him off the field on a stretcher as he screamed in pain.
His coach, Hansi Flick, commented after the game that the injury “seems serious” but refrained from estimating how long Ter Stegen would be out until further medical evaluations.
Lengthy Absence Expected
The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who became Germany’s first-choice after Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, was transferred to a nearby hospital. Spanish outlet RAC 1 reported that Ter Stegen could be out for up to 8 months, effectively ending his season.
He sustained the injury while defending a corner kick, and Iñaki Peña replaced him in goal.
Barcelona’s Injury Woes Continue
Ter Stegen joins a growing list of injured Barcelona players, including Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López, and Dani Olmo. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona has had a perfect start to their La Liga campaign, winning all six of their matches so far.
