The German international has confirmed he will undergo surgery, ruling him out for approximately three months, as he announced in a heartfelt statement on social media.
"I've proudly worn the colours and shirt of FC Barcelona, whether on the pitch or off it, in moments of triumph and in tough times. Today is a difficult day for me personally. Physically and mentally, I feel in great shape, but sadly, I'm not pain-free," Marc-André ter Stegen said in his statement.
"After in-depth discussions with Barcelona's medical team and external specialists, the quickest and safest path to full recovery is surgery on my back."
The 33-year-old, who first underwent back surgery in late 2023, has struggled to overcome lingering lumbar problems that sidelined him for 19 matches across Barcelona and the German national team two seasons ago. "After my last operation, I returned to the pitch in 66 days, just under two months. This time, the doctors estimate three months to ensure no risks are taken," he explained.
The surgery, scheduled for next week, will be performed by Dr. Amelie Leglise at the Sports Clinic Bordeaux Merignac under the supervision of Barcelona's medical staff, the club confirmed.
However, the three-month recovery timeline means Barcelona cannot utilise the long-term injury rule, which requires a minimum four-month absence to free up financial fair play space.
Last season, the club used this mechanism to register Dani Olmo following Andreas Christensen's injury, but they will be unable to apply 80 percent of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's salary to sign another player this time.
Emotionally, the news has hit the goalkeeper hard. "It pains me deeply not to be able to support the team during this period, but thankfully, the rehabilitation process is manageable, and the path back is clear. I'll keep you updated on my recovery, and I want to sincerely thank all you cules for always standing by me. Don't worry, I'll be back," he vowed.
Ter Stegen, a Barcelona captain who joined the club in 2014 and is under contract until 2028, faces a challenging season. Even before this setback, his starting role was not guaranteed, with Barcelona signing Joan Garcia and extending Wojciech Szczesny's contract.
The club, now with an excess of goalkeepers, have been seeking a move for Inaki Pena and had considered transferring Ter Stegen, whose high salary adds to their financial considerations. His absence from pre-season and delayed return will see him rejoin the squad after the campaign has begun, potentially impacting his standing.
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