Just two games into his loan spell at Girona, Marc-André ter Stegen has suffered a severe hamstring injury that could sideline him for months and trigger a premature end to his stay at Montilivi.
The Injury: A Two-Month Layoff (at least)
The 33-year-old goalkeeper was forced off during Girona’s recent clash against Real Oviedo (a 1-0 defeat on Jan 31st). Initial scans confirmed a significant tear in his left hamstring, with medical sources at Cadena SER suggesting a recovery period of at least two months.
If surgery is required to repair the tendon a possibility currently being evaluated by both Barcelona and Girona medical teams Ter Stegen could miss the remainder of the season, effectively ending his hopes of being Germany’s No. 1 at the 2026 World Cup.
Early Loan Termination?
The injury has placed the loan agreement in a delicate position. Girona, currently fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone (12th place), are reportedly considering terminating the loan early to free up space and wages for a replacement goalkeeper.
However, from a regulatory standpoint, a return to the pitch for Barcelona this season is impossible. Under RFEF rules:
- Ter Stegen was deregistered by Barça to join Girona in January.
- He cannot be re-registered to play for the same club in the same season.
- The Verdict: Even if he returns to Barcelona for rehabilitation, he cannot play for Hansi Flick’s side until the 2026/27 campaign.
The “Joan García” Era at Barcelona
Ter Stegen’s move to Girona was prompted by the sensational rise of Joan García. The 24-year-old Spaniard has become the undisputed starter at the Spotify Camp Nou, boasting the highest save percentage in La Liga (78.6%) and recently winning the “Save of the Month” for January.
With Wojciech Szczęsny providing experienced cover, Barcelona’s board had hoped Ter Stegen would increase his market value at Girona for a potential summer sale to the Saudi Pro League. This injury now complicates those financial plans.
Medical Report: Ter Stegen’s Recovery Timeline
- Injury: Left Hamstring (Potential tendon involvement).
- Estimated Out: 8 to 12 weeks (April/May return).
- Next Step: Final tests on Monday/Tuesday to decide on surgery.
- World Cup Status: High Risk (Needs minutes in May to secure a call-up).
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
