National goalkeeper ter Stegen out for months

National soccer goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will be out for months with a serious knee injury. The 32-year-old, who is the number one goalie for the national team following Manuel Neuer's retirement, suffered a “complete tear of the patellar tendon” in his right knee during FC Barcelona's league match against FC Villarreal, the Catalans announced. He is due to undergo surgery today.

Marc-André ter Stegen
Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa

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The goalkeeper will not be able to play another game for a while – news that has also had a major impact on national coach Julian Nagelsmann's plans. According to Neuer's decision, Ter Stegen was set to play in goal after the European Championship at home. The DFB selection will play its next games in the Nations League on October 11 in Bosnia-Herzegovina and three days later in Munich against the Netherlands.

As the crown prince behind Neuer for many years, ter Stegen has so far made 42 international appearances, most recently in the German goal for the 5-0 win against Hungary and the 2-2 draw in the Netherlands in the Nations League. The declared goal is to take part in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nagelsmann had described him as his “clear number one”.

Next week, Nagelsmann will name his squad for the October games. At the latest then, there will be a signal as to how he intends to bridge ter Stegen's absence. Oliver Baumann (34) from TSG Hoffenheim and Alexander Nübel (27) were recently in the squad as backups – neither of them has yet played an international match. A comeback from Neuer (38) is also not fundamentally ruled out and will certainly be discussed once the Bayern goalkeeper has recovered from his current thigh injury and is performing at a top level.

Expensive league victory in Villarreal

At FC Barcelona, ​​​​which has been coached by former national coach Hansi Flick since this season, things have been going well for ter Stegen recently. The 32-year-old became captain of the top Spanish club, winning six of his first six league games – but the last one came at a high price.

“We are very happy about the win, but in reality it is because I believe it is a serious injury,” said Flick after the 5-1 win in Villarreal on Sunday evening. Ter Stegen landed on his right leg during a defensive move following an opponent's corner shortly before half-time and immediately fell to the grass. The Barça captain had to be carried off the field in a tragedy and was then taken to hospital.