Matthäus gutted over Ter Stegen injury: 'A personal tragedy'
German legend Lothar Matthäus shares his devastation about Marc-André ter Stegen's hamstring injury that could rule him out of the World Cup.
German football icon Lothar Matthäus has expressed his heartbreak over Marc-André ter Stegen’s devastating injury, which threatens to end the goalkeeper’s World Cup dreams before they’ve even begun.
Injury Nightmare
Talk about a right kick in the Khyber. Ter Stegen’s loan move to Girona has gone pear-shaped after just two matches, with the German keeper now facing 3-4 months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that’s affected the tendon. The Barcelona loanee had only just arrived at Girona a fortnight ago, looking for regular playing time to keep sharp for the upcoming World Cup.
Matthäus, speaking to Sky Germany, didn’t mince his words about the severity of the situation: “If confirmed, it’s a personal tragedy and I feel very sorry for him.”
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ter Stegen, who had impressed in his brief Girona stint. The German international had specifically engineered his temporary exit from Barcelona to ensure he’d be in top nick for the World Cup, but now faces a race against time that he’s likely to lose.
Barcelona’s Response
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco also weighed in on his goalkeeper’s misfortune:
“We’re very sad. He was in good form,” the former Portuguese international told TV3, clearly gutted about how things have turned out.
The injury represents a double blow – not just for Ter Stegen personally, but also for Girona who had brought him in to strengthen their squad. The loan move that was meant to benefit all parties has instead created a headache for everyone involved.
Regarding Ter Stegen’s recovery plan, Deco remained non-committal: “We don’t know where he’ll complete his rehabilitation. It’s a medical issue that doctors from both Girona and Barcelona will decide.”
What Next?
The timing couldn’t be more brutal for the 31-year-old keeper. Having made the temporary switch specifically to maintain form ahead of international duty, he now faces the prospect of watching the tournament from his sofa.
For Germany, it’s another selection headache as they prepare for the World Cup, while Girona must quickly regroup after losing their high-profile loan signing after just 180 minutes of action.