December 8, (THEWILL) – Barcelona’s number one goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen has undergone successful surgery to address ongoing back issues, the Spanish club announced. The German international had the procedure performed on his lower back by Dr Amelie Leglise at the Sports Clinic Bordeaux Merignac.
Ter Stegen had missed Barcelona’s last three matches as well as Germany’s recent international friendlies against Turkey and Austria. The keeper revealed on social media that after discussions with club doctors and outside experts, he elected to move forward with surgery as the “right and safe decision” to ensure he returns in peak condition.
No timeline has been set for the keeper’s recovery, with the club stating only that his return will be dictated by his progress in rehabilitation. The lengthy layoff will come as a blow for both club and country, as Ter Stegen has been a stalwart between the sticks for Barcelona and a key cog in Germany’s set-up.
In his absence, Barcelona will likely turn to backup keeper Iñaki Peña, while Germany still boasts quality options in Manuel Neuer and Kevin Trapp. However, Ter Stegen’s unique ball-playing abilities and shot-stopping reflexes will be tough to replicate. Barcelona supporters will hope the surgery provides a long-term fix to finally resolve his nagging back problems.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
