Marc-André ter Stegen’s transition to life at Girona has taken a heartbreaking turn. The 33-year-old German goalkeeper, currently on loan from Barcelona, confirmed on social media that he will undergo surgery on his left thigh this Friday, February 6th, following a serious injury sustained last weekend.
The veteran shot-stopper, who had recently moved to Girona in search of regular minutes, expressed his deep frustration:
“Last weekend the worst happened: I got injured during the match. I had just arrived in Girona, where I was received with great kindness. My role has had to change completely, but my support for the team will not change,” Ter Stegen wrote.
La mayoría de vosotros no me conocéis a nivel personal, así que quiero compartir algo con vosotros.
Soy una persona positiva. Siempre he tenido esta mentalidad y la he llevado conmigo en cada reto que he afrontado, pero este está siendo especialmente duro para mí.El fin de… pic.twitter.com/I0VUzaq5ld
— Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) February 5, 2026
A Career Plagued by Physical Setbacks
Since the 2024/2025 season, Ter Stegen has been caught in a relentless cycle of injuries that have stripped him of his starting role at the elite level.
The Injury Timeline (2024-2026):
- Sept 2024 – April 2025: Patellar tendon rupture (214 days out).
- July 2025 – Dec 2025: Back surgery (139 days out).
- Jan 31, 2026 – Present: Thigh muscle tear requiring surgery.
According to Transfermarkt, the projected return date for the German is April 15, 2026. With approximately 75 days of recovery ahead, Ter Stegen will miss the majority of the final stretch of the season.
Why Did He Leave Barcelona?
The arrival of Hansi Flick at Barcelona signaled the end of Ter Stegen’s “untouchable” status. Flick’s high-intensity system and the goalkeeper’s recurring injuries led the club to sign Joan García from Espanyol.
With García establishing himself as the undisputed No. 1, Ter Stegen opted for a loan move to Girona to stay in competitive rhythm ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, this latest setback puts his international ambitions and his future at the Spotify Camp Nou in serious jeopardy.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
