Barcelona Goalkeeper Ter Stegen Weighs Surgery Amid Back Issues

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is contemplating back surgery to address ongoing issues that have kept him from training with the team. The operation could sideline him for approximately four months, which would significantly impact his playing time and potentially his future at the club, especially following the arrival of new goalkeeper Joan García. Barcelona may leave Ter Stegen unregistered for the first part of the season to free up salary space for registering García and possible new signings, using a strategy similar to previous seasons. Despite being informed by coach Hansi Flick that he is no longer the first-choice goalkeeper, Ter Stegen remains reluctant to leave Barcelona and is focused on regaining fitness ahead of the World Cup 2026, where he aims to secure the German national team’s No. 1 spot. The club has not released official medical details, and a final decision on surgery has yet to be made, with some hope that conservative treatment could still resolve the issue. Meanwhile, Barcelona prepares for upcoming preseason friendlies without Ter Stegen, and his future remains uncertain amid these developments.