Ter Stegen set for 3-month absence due to back surgery

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has confirmed he will undergo back surgery, ruling him out for approximately three months. 

The 32-year-old revealed the news in a heartfelt message to fans, expressing both physical discomfort and emotional disappointment at being sidelined ahead of the new season.

The German international missed much of last season due to a serious knee injury and now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines due to persistent back issues. 

After consultations with FC Barcelona’s medical team and external experts, surgery was deemed the best path to full recovery. Ter Stegen stated that although he feels fit, pain continues to limit his performance, making the procedure unavoidable.

In his statement, Ter Stegen shared optimism about his return, citing a previous back operation that saw him return in just over two months. 

This time, doctors have advised a more cautious approach, estimating a three-month recovery period. “It hurts a lot not being able to support the team during this time,” he wrote. “But I’ll be back!”

Ter Stegen’s injury poses a new challenge for Barcelona, who had already been wrestling with La Liga’s strict financial regulations. The club signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia earlier this summer, but financial restrictions have cast doubt over his registration. 

The injury could open a door for Garcia to be registered, as the team now has a pressing need for goalkeeping reinforcements.

Barcelona currently sits outside La Liga’s 1:1 financial rule, which requires clubs to match new spending with equivalent revenue or wage savings. Until those criteria are met, registering new players like Garcia remains uncertain. 

However, Ter Stegen’s absence may present a compelling case to La Liga officials, potentially easing the registration process.

In the meantime, the Catalan giants can fall back on Inaki Pena and veteran Wojciech Szczesny, though neither is firmly cemented as a starting option. 

Barcelona’s next match is a friendly against Vissel Kobe on July 27, and with Ter Stegen out, all eyes will be on who steps up between the posts as the club prepares for another demanding season.