Marc-Andre ter Stegen Breaks Silence with Emotional Statement Following Devastating New Injury Blow
Marc-André ter Stegen described experiencing "the worst possible scenario" while discussing the hamstring injury that has stripped away his "ultimate passion" and jeopardized his opportunity to represent Germany at the 2026 World Cup.
Only two matches into his Girona loan spell, after being sidelined at Barcelona and spending the season's first half rehabilitating from back surgery, Ter Stegen sustained a hamstring injury requiring another surgical procedure. While no definitive timeline exists, projections suggest up to four months of recovery, making his selection by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann highly unlikely.
Following a turbulent summer that brought him to the edge of conflict with Barcelona and temporarily cost him the captain's armband, Girona represented the goalkeeper's chance for a fresh start.
Even without the World Cup incentive looming ahead, this represents an incredibly disheartening setback for Ter Stegen, who finds himself losing everything once more.
"Many of you don't know me personally, so I'd like to share something," he expressed in a statement published on Instagram. "I maintain a positive outlook. This mindset has always been with me, helping me navigate every obstacle I've encountered, but this particular challenge hits especially hard.
"This past weekend, disaster struck: I sustained an injury during the game. I had recently joined Girona, where I received incredible warmth and acceptance from day one. I was genuinely excited about becoming part of the squad and contributing to our collective goals.
"Now my position has completely transformed, but my commitment to the team remains unchanged. This isn't merely an excellent group of players and coaching staff; it's like a family, and I've felt their encouragement and solidarity from the beginning. As professional athletes, our ultimate fulfillment comes from competition: practicing and performing. I must suspend all of that for multiple months, having chosen to proceed with surgery. I will return."
Ter Stegen's World Cup Dreams Broken
Ter Stegen's World Cup Dreams Shattered
Ter Stegen's injury doesn't alter Barcelona's goalkeeping dynamics. He was already excluded from consideration, with the club fully supporting summer acquisition Joan García as their primary keeper and Wojciech Szczęsny serving as backup.
However, this represented his chance to finally participate in a major international competition. Manuel Neuer stepped down following Euro 2024, and Ter Stegen, who served as understudy to the national team icon at two World Cups and two European Championships since 2016, was poised to claim his moment.
No other obvious heir to Neuer exists. Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann, who made his international debut at 33 in 2024, has featured in most Germany fixtures since early last year. The three additional goalkeepers recently selected possess just two senior international appearances combined.
While Ter Stegen's Germany prospects seemed dim at the season's outset due to his Barcelona struggles, the possibility of regular playing time with Girona in the months leading to the World Cup had rekindled realistic hopes.
Now, approaching his 34th birthday with his club future further complicated by a second serious injury within months, his World Cup aspirations may have vanished permanently.