Marc-André ter Stegen is officially out. On Thursday, the German goalkeeper announced he’ll undergo another back surgery and will be out for at least three months. He shared the update on social media, saying the decision came after long talks with Barcelona’s medical team and outside specialists.
The news confirms what many had suspected: his physical issues aren’t going away. But more than that, it signals something deeper. For the first time in nearly a decade, the club’s number one isn’t a sure thing anymore.
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In the past, a long-term injury to Ter Stegen would’ve caused major panic among Barça fans. Now? The reaction is muted. Hansi Flick had already hinted that changes were coming in goal.
Joan García arrived in late June. Szczesny stayed on. Between those two moves, it became clear the club wasn’t counting on Ter Stegen to start the season. Flick didn’t sugarcoat it, either — he mentioned both as top options from the beginning.
What was once quiet tension behind the scenes now feels like a clear shift. The surgery, of course, is about health. But symbolically, it’s a turning point. He’s not just missing matches. He’s losing the role he once owned.
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This isn’t new territory for Ter Stegen. He had a similar procedure on his lower back at the end of 2023 and missed 66 days. That absence cost him 19 games for club and country. The coaching staff was already concerned. Now, with a longer recovery expected, that concern has turned into real doubt.
For years, he’s been a symbol of consistency, someone you never worried about. That’s changing. He’s still respected. Still under contract through 2028. But people are starting to wonder if they can count on him the same way. The skills haven’t gone anywhere. The concern now is whether his body can keep up.
García brings youth and upside. Szczesny brings stability. Between the two, Barcelona doesn’t seem in any rush. They have options.
And there’s Iñaki Peña. He hasn’t made a strong case in past chances, but he’s still in the conversation. The truth is, for the first time since Ter Stegen joined Barça in 2014, the goalkeeper spot feels open. That might sound harsh, but in a way, it’s healthy. No one’s above evaluation. And clearly, Flick sees it the same way.