FC Barcelona confirmed that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has undergone successful back surgery to treat long-standing lower back pain. The operation took place at the Sports Clinic Bordeaux Merignac in France and was led by Dr. Amélie Léglise, with oversight from the club’s medical team.
The 33-year-old German goalkeeper is now unavailable for selection, and no specific timeline has been given for his return. His recovery will depend on how well he responds to treatment in the coming weeks.
Ter Stegen has been a key figure for Barcelona over the past 14 seasons, playing nearly 400 matches with 164 clean sheets in his career. During the 2024–25 season, he played only eight games, conceding nine goals and keeping one clean sheet before his condition worsened.
This surgery follows a previous back procedure in November 2023, which caused him to miss several league matches and international games for Germany.
The news has worried many fans, especially with Barcelona preparing for a busy La Liga and Champions League season. Social media users have stressed ter Stegen’s importance, noting that he helped the club concede just 18 goals in 38 matches during the 2022–23 season—one of the best defensive records in Europe.
Barcelona is expected to provide updates on his progress as recovery continues.
