FC Barcelona confirmed this Monday that its starting goalkeeper, Marc-André Ter Stegensuffered a “complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee,” an injury that will keep him off the pitch for an estimated period of seven to eight months.
The German goalkeeper underwent surgery and, according to a statement from the club, the operation was “satisfactory.” However, the exact duration of his absence has not yet been officially detailed.
Ter Stegen was injured during last Sunday’s match, in Barcelona’s 5-1 victory over Villarreal in LaLiga.
The incident occurred near the end of the first half when, after catching a ball in the air, the goalkeeper fell to the ground showing clear signs of pain in his right knee. After being treated, he was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by the young goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
Impact for Barcelona: Iñaki Peña or an external reinforcement?
Ter Stegen’s absence is a major blow for Barcelona, who have started the season with impressive performances under German coach Hansi Flick.
The team are currently leading La Liga with a record of victories, but the numerous injuries are starting to cause concern at the Catalan club. Key players such as Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Gavi are also out of action, leaving Flick with the task of managing a team that is depleted in its starting squad.
Barcelona now face a crucial decision: trust 25-year-old Iñaki Peña as their starting goalkeeper for the next few months or look to the market for a temporary reinforcement for the position.
Since the summer transfer market has already closed, any new goalkeeper should be out of contract. In this sense, names like Keylor Navas, Loris Karius and Claudio Bravo, former player of Barçahave been mentioned as possible options in the football environment.
German national team and the future of Ter Stegen
The outlook is no less complex for the German national team, where Ter Stegen had recently been named as the starting goalkeeper, following the international retirement of Manuel Neuer.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had confirmed Ter Stegen as his “number 1” at the beginning of September, a recognition that came after 12 years of waiting and 40 games as a substitute for the historic Neuer.
The goalkeeper’s absence directly affects the team’s plans. Mannschaft for international competitions, particularly the Nations League and preparation for the 2026 World Cup. In this scenario, Alexandre Nübel, currently Stuttgart goalkeeper on loan from Bayern Munich, emerges as the most viable option to replace Ter Stegen during his absence.
Nagelsmann expressed his regret at the injury: “It’s a big loss for us. Marc was in excellent form and it will be difficult to be without him, both on and off the pitch.”
Recovery from a complete tear of the patellar tendon is a complex process that could extend even beyond the eight months expected. These types of injuries require intense rehabilitation and could influence Ter Stegen’s ability to return to his top form in the near future.
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