German and FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has announced he will be out of action for approximately three months as he is set to undergo a second surgery for his persistent back problem. This news comes as a significant blow to the Catalan giants, especially given their current financial constraints and limited options in the goalkeeping department.
Ter Stegen had recently returned to the pitch after a previous back injury that kept him sidelined for two months. However, medical assessments revealed that the player was still experiencing pain, necessitating further surgical intervention.
Notably, journalist Alex Pintanel claims the club was not given prior notice of Ter Stegen’s public announcement, leading to considerable displeasure within the Barcelona hierarchy.
The goalkeeper shared an open letter to Barcelona fans via his social media channels, expressing his disappointment and commitment to recovery:
“Dear Culers,
I wear the colors and jersey of FC Barcelona with great pride, whether on or off the pitch, in moments of success and in difficult times. Today is a personally difficult day for me. Physically and athletically, I feel in very good shape, although unfortunately, I am not free from pain. After intensive discussions with the FC Barcelona medical team and external experts, I have determined that the quickest and safest way for me to fully recover is through back surgery. After my last operation on my back, I returned to the pitch after 66 days—almost two months; this time, the doctors believe that about three months will be necessary as a precaution, to avoid any risks. Emotionally, it hurts a lot not to be able to support the team during this time. Fortunately, the rehabilitation is manageable and the road back is clear. I will keep you updated on my recovery, and I sincerely want to thank you all, dear Culers, for always being by my side.
Don’t worry—I’ll be back!
Yours, Marc”
Barca sweating over goalkeeper situation
This scenario presents a significant challenge for the Catalan side. Barcelona’s goalkeeping situation is now highly unusual, as Iñaki Peña is currently the only senior goalkeeper available to play in the league opener against Mallorca on August 16.
FC Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, will now have to include Iñaki Peña in the squad for the upcoming Asia tour, as preparations intensify for the demanding La Liga season ahead.
The financial implications for Barcelona are also significant. Reports suggest that if Ter Stegen were to be sidelined for four months, the club would be permitted to utilize his salary to register another player, such as the new signing Joan Garcia.
However, with the current three-month projection, this flexibility may not be available. According to Sport, the German international, who also missed much of last season with a serious knee injury, could potentially be sidelined for up to five months during his recovery from back surgery.
Such an extended absence could, paradoxically, work to Barcelona’s advantage as they navigate their complex financial situation and aim to register players for the 2025-26 season. If the club is unable to use 80 percent of his salary to register Garcia or Wojciech Szczesny, it would represent a “worst-case scenario” for their financial planning.
It remains to be seen what will ultimately happen with Ter Stegen, who was reportedly projected to be Barcelona’s third-choice keeper this season behind Garcia and Szczesny. The German is also hoping to play in next year’s World Cup, but his recovery timeline could place him in a race against time to secure a squad spot.
