New Delhi: Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines as Barcelona confirmed number 1 will have to undergo knee surgery. Ter Stegen sustained a complete rupture in the patella tendon in his right knee on Sunday. He left the field on a stretcher after getting injured in a 5-1 victory over Villarreal.
Ter Stegen’s knee buckled dramatically as he landed awkwardly after contesting a high cross, leaving him in immediate pain and needing a stretcher. A statement from the club confirmed that first-team player Ter Stegen has suffered a full rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee. The surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon, with further updates to follow.
The injury occurred shortly after the 32-year-old was named the German national team’s first-choice goalkeeper following years of serving as Manuel Neuer’s backup. Neuer stepped down from international football after Euro 2024 and coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Ter Stegen who has 42 caps but has yet to feature in a major tournament as his successor.
Tests carried out on Marc ter Stegen confirm that he has a complete rupture in the patella tendon in his right knee. On Monday afternoon he will undergo a surgical process and once complete a new update will be released.” pic.twitter.com/8tm6U0FRU0
— BARCA EXTRA (@Thebarcaextra) September 23, 2024
Unfortunately, Ter Stegen played only two Nations League matches before being sidelined by this injury. There is no clarity over when Ter Stegen will make a comeback, as it is expected that he will be out for a very long time and might return next season.
Barcelona’s next game is coming up on Wednesday against Getafe, and it looks like Inaki Pena will be stepping in for Ter Stegen. Though a Barcelona academy product, he has limited top-level experience, and this injury presents a chance for him to prove his worth.
On the German side, the recent squad includes Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as backup options to replace Ter Stegen. Both hold experience at club level but neither of them has earned a senior cap for Germany yet.
Ter Stegen’s absence leaves a gap in the goalpost for both club and country. Barcelona and Germany now face uncertainty at a critical point in their respective seasons.
Barcelona’s star goalkeeper faces a lengthy recovery after a serious knee injury during the side’s 5-1 victory over Villarreal. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
