Ter Stegen Undergoes Surgery, Comments "The Worst Has Happened"; German Goalkeeper's World Cup Hopes in Doubt
Spanish club Girona officially announced that German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will undergo surgery tomorrow, Friday, after sustaining a hamstring injury during his team's match against Real Oviedo in La Liga last week.
The club confirmed in a statement on its official accounts that the surgical intervention would take place tomorrow. The exact duration of his absence will be determined after the operation, but Spanish media sources are reporting a recovery period extending for several months, which casts significant doubt on Ter Stegen's participation with the German national team in the 2026 World Cup.
Ter Stegen, 33, joined Girona on loan from Barcelona in January 2026, aiming to secure more playing time after losing his starting position at the Catalan club to young goalkeeper Juan Garcia.
Ter Stegen had also missed long periods last season due to back problems and underwent previous surgery, before seeking to regain his form by playing for Girona.
Ter Stegen posted an emotional message on his official social media accounts after the confirmation of his need for surgery, expressing his shock and resilience in facing the ordeal: “I am a positive person by nature, and this has always been my nature in facing every challenge… But this challenge has been very difficult for me.”
He added: “Last weekend, the worst happened, I got injured during the match. I was excited to play with Girona and contribute to the team's goals, but now I am forced to change my role completely.”
He concluded: “This team is not just a group of players, I feel they are a family, and I have received great support from the first moment. As an athlete, my greatest joy is competing, training, and playing… And now I have to stop all that for several months because I decided to have the operation.”
This new surgery represents a significant blow to the goalkeeper's career, especially with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States next summer. Ter Stegen was widely expected to be Germany's first-choice goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer's international retirement.
