Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen requires right knee surgery

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is dealing with an extended spell on the sidelines after his membership mentioned Monday that he sustained a “full rupture” of a tendon in his proper knee that requires surgical procedure.

Ter Stegen left the sphere on a stretcher after getting injured in a 5-1 win over Villarreal within the Spanish league on Sunday.

Ter Stegen’s proper knee buckled when he fell awkwardly after going for a excessive cross into the world simply earlier than halftime.

Barcelona mentioned that surgical procedure on Ter Stegen’s knee was deliberate Monday after checks confirmed “that he has an entire rupture within the patella tendon in his proper knee.”

The damage comes simply as Ter Stegen had been confirmed because the German nationwide workforce’s No. 1 goalkeeper after years as Manuel Neuer’s backup.

Neuer retired from worldwide soccer after Euro 2024 and coach Julian Nagelsmann mentioned Ter Stegen — who has performed 42 video games for Germany however none at a significant event — could be first alternative sooner or later. Nonetheless, he solely performed two Nations League video games earlier than his damage.

“The information of Marc’s damage was an enormous shock for us,” Nagelsmann mentioned Monday. “We within the nationwide workforce are going to overlook him on and off the sphere. We want Marc all the most effective for the operation and a fast restoration. We’ll at all times be there for him on his means again.”

Germany’s most up-to-date squad included backup goalkeepers Alexander Nübel from Stuttgart and Oliver Baumann from Hoffenheim. Neither has performed a sport for Germany.

The 32-year-old Ter Stegen is one in all Barcelona’s captains and had began all seven of the workforce’s video games this season. His look towards Villarreal was his 289th with the membership, and took him previous legendary Antoni Ramallets into third place on the membership’s all-time record of appearances for goalkeepers.

Ter Stegen’s speedy backup at Barcelona is Iñaki Peña. The membership is anticipated so as to add one other goalkeeper to its squad.

Barcelona is off to an ideal begin within the Spanish league by successful all six video games to date. Coach Hansi Flick is already with out a number of common starters due to damage, together with Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.

“We have now to just accept it,” Flick mentioned of Ter Stegen’s damage. “It’s not simple. It was an accident.”

Barcelona’s subsequent match is towards Getafe within the Spanish league on Wednesday.

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