Barcelona’s star goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, has undergone successful surgery after suffering a serious knee injury. The German international, who plays a crucial role for the Catalan giants, sustained a complete rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee during Barcelona’s dominant 5-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.
The injury occurred just before halftime when ter Stegen fell awkwardly after jumping for a ball. The pain was evident as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Barcelona confirmed that the surgery, performed by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau, was successful and that ter Stegen would be unavailable for selection. The club stated that his return date would be determined by the progress of his recovery.
Ter Stegen has endured a history of knee issues, undergoing two previous surgeries on the same knee in recent years. The latest injury, unfortunately, could prove to be season-ending for the 32-year-old keeper. Spanish media reports suggest that ter Stegen will be sidelined for a minimum of seven months, a significant blow for Barcelona and the German national team.
The injury comes at a crucial time for Barcelona, who face Bayern Munich in the Champions League next month, as well as defending champions Real Madrid in La Liga. The absence of their first-choice goalkeeper will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for the team.
