The announcement that caught Barça off guard

What initially seemed like minor discomfort has ended in surgery. Marc-André ter Stegen announced on social media that he will undergo a new back operation, estimating his recovery at around three months. What raised eyebrows is that the goalkeeper shared the news before the club’s official statement, despite having agreed to release it jointly this Friday morning.

Minutes later, FC Barcelona confirmed the procedure at the Sports Clinic in Bordeaux, under the supervision of Dr. Amélie Léglise and the club’s medical staff. However, no timeline was provided, pending the post-op medical report.

Three, four… or five months?

While Ter Stegen claims he’ll be out for no more than three months, medical sources consulted by Mundo Deportivo suggest otherwise. Since this is a recurring injury—he already underwent back surgery in 2023—the medical consensus points to a recovery period of four to five months. That could be crucial not only for sporting reasons… but also from an administrative standpoint.

If the absence exceeds four months, the club could register a replacement (such as Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczęsny, or even a new signing), using 80% of the German’s salary within LaLiga’s financial regulations. If not, they’ll have to look for alternative solutions to reinforce the goalkeeper position.

A hernia that won’t let him go

Since the start of preseason, Ter Stegen has trained apart from the team, although the club initially referred only to “discomfort.” In his Instagram statement, the German keeper explained that while he feels “physically in great shape,” the back pain persists. That’s why he’s decided to undergo surgery again—to avoid further risks and unnecessary delays.

Back in 2023, Ter Stegen missed 66 days following surgery for a lumbar herniated disc. Although he managed to return before the end of last season, this time he’s opting for a more cautious and extended recovery to prevent future setbacks.