Barcelona’s Ter Stegen faces lengthy recovery after knee injury

BARCELONA: Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is set for a lengthy absence following a serious knee injury sustained during a match against Villarreal.

The 32-year-old German international suffered a “complete rupture “of a tendon in his right knee after falling awkwardly while collecting a cross during the team’s 5-1 victory on Sunday.

Ter Stegen underwent surgery on Monday, with reports indicating he could be sidelined for up to seven months. Coas Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the unfortunate nature of the accident.

Germany’s national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, while had recently named Ter Stegen as the starting goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer’s Retirment post-Euro 2024, also expressed his shock at the news. He emphasized the team’s support for Ter Stegen during his recovery, stating, “We’ll always be there for him on his way back.”