Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has announced that he will undergo back surgery and will be sidelined for approximately three months. This development follows earlier speculation regarding the club’s interest in selling the German international to comply with La Liga salary regulations, as they find themselves over the league’s imposed salary cap. Despite these rumors, Ter Stegen had expressed his desire to remain at Barcelona.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Ter Stegen reflected on the challenges of being unable to support his teammates during his recovery. He emphasized that while he feels physically fit, persistent pain necessitated this surgical intervention. He reassured fans that the medical team deemed surgery as the safest path to complete recovery. After a previous back operation, he returned to play after 66 days, and he is hopeful for a similar recovery timeline this time.
La Liga rules allow clubs to register new players if a current player is injured for more than four months, as demonstrated last season when a significant injury led to the registration of Dani Olmo. However, Ter Stegen’s expected recovery period does not meet this threshold, leaving Barcelona with limited options, as they currently have only one goalkeeper, Inaki Pena, registered for La Liga duties.
The situation adds complexity to Barcelona’s roster decisions as they navigate transfer activities. With Ter Stegen’s contract lasting three more years and involving deferred wages from the Covid-19 pandemic period, the club faces strategic decisions in the upcoming transfer window. Meanwhile, Ter Stegen aims to keep fans updated on his recovery journey, expressing gratitude for their support.
This surgery reflects the growing trend of sports professionals prioritizing long-term health over immediate participation, a hopeful sign for both Ter Stegen’s future at Barcelona and his overall career. The situation underscores Barcelona’s need to be resourceful as they manage player contracts and injuries while maintaining competitiveness in La Liga.