The 32-year-old German international goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was stretchered off the field following an awkward fall during Barcelona’s 5-1 victory over Villarreal on Sunday.
Barcelona released a statement confirming that ter Stegen suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee. “On Monday afternoon, he will undergo a surgical procedure, and a new update will be provided afterward,” the statement read.
The injury occurred just before halftime at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica, adding to ter Stegen’s woes after he faced criticism for a mistake in Barcelona’s recent 2-1 Champions League defeat to Monaco.
Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick expressed concern about the severity of the injury, stating, “I think it will be a huge injury. When he lay down on the field, you could see it directly.”
Inaki Pena replaced ter Stegen during the match and is expected to take over as the starting goalkeeper in his absence. However, there is speculation that Barcelona may seek to sign another replacement.
Flick refrained from discussing the potential signing of a new goalkeeper immediately after the match. “I don’t know if I like this question directly after the match… I just want to see how Marc is. He’s our captain and a very important player for us,” he said.
He emphasized the need to focus on ter Stegen’s health, adding, “Please understand that I don’t want to talk about that.”
Ter Stegen had recently started two Nations League matches for Germany in September, following the retirement of Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer from international duty in August.
