Barcelona Keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen To Undergo Knee Surgery; Faces Potential Season-Ending Injury

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen left the field on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury in a 5-1 win over Villarreal in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Ter Stegen’s right knee buckled when he fell awkwardly after going for a high ball crossed into the area just before halftime.

Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the injury appeared to be a torn ligament but more tests would be carried out. Local media reports said Ter Stegen went from the stadium to the hospital in an ambulance, and left the hospital in a wheelchair.

“This injury makes us sad. I think the injury will be huge but we have to wait for more information,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. “We have to accept it. It’s not easy. It was an accident. It’s very tough.”

“It doesn’t look good for Marc,” Flick told Spanish television after the game. “We have to wait to know the full diagnosis of the injury, but it’s true it does appear to be really serious.”

The 32-year-old German goalkeeper, one of Barcelona’s captains, was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance for further tests.

Inaki Pena came off the bench to replace Ter Stegen and could now be set for a lengthy spell in the team if the injury does turn out to be as serious as it appeared.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who missed most of last season with a similar injury, showed his support for Ter Stegen with a message on X, saying that it hurt to see his colleague leave the field like that and that he hoped he would recover soon.

After second-placed Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday the Catalans were able to restore a four-point lead on the champions.

Hansi Flick gave Eric Garcia another start in defensive midfield despite his early red card against Monaco in the Champions League midweek.

The German coach also started reserve team players Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez, as well as playmaker Torre in place of the injured Dani Olmo.