Ter Stegen set for Friday surgery as Girona loan nightmare continues
Barcelona's on-loan keeper faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after hamstring injury, with World Cup hopes now hanging in the balance.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s nightmare loan spell at Girona has taken another cruel twist with the German set for surgery this Friday on a hamstring injury sustained against Oviedo.
Another lengthy layoff looms
The German international damaged his left hamstring during Girona’s match at the Carlos Tartiere stadium, and the upcoming operation will determine exactly how long he’ll be sidelined. Initial estimates suggest he could be out for anywhere between three to four months - a proper kick in the teeth for all parties involved.
This latest setback means Girona have effectively paid for a goalkeeper they’ll have enjoyed for just two matches - appearances against Getafe and Oviedo. Talk about getting short-changed! Despite only covering 10% of his wages until June, it’s still a financial blow for the Catalan club who are fighting for survival in La Liga.
World Cup dreams fading
For ter Stegen personally, the timing couldn’t be worse. His move to Girona was specifically designed to prepare him for the upcoming World Cup with Germany, where he was finally set to be first-choice following Manuel Neuer’s retirement. Those plans now look about as solid as a chocolate teapot.
While he might technically recover in time for the tournament, he’d be arriving with virtually no competitive minutes under his belt - hardly ideal preparation for football’s biggest stage.
Injury troubles mounting
This represents the third serious injury for ter Stegen in just two years:
- Knee injury
- Back surgery (summer 2023) - sidelined for four months
- Current hamstring injury
The goalkeeper’s recent injury record makes for grim reading, and at 31, these repeated lengthy absences raise serious questions about his long-term durability at the highest level.
For Girona, it’s back to the drawing board as they face a relegation battle without their star loan signing between the sticks. What was meant to be a statement of intent has turned into a case of “be careful what you wish for”.