Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen needs back surgery and may lose his starting spot with Germany ahead of the European Championship.
Barcelona stated on Tuesday that Ter Stegen will undergo a surgical procedure for the lower back issues that have been affecting him recently. The Catalan club did not specify how long he is likely to be out.
Ter Stegen played 8 of Germany’s first 9 matches in 2023 after regular starter Manuel Neuer fractured his leg on a ski vacation following the World Cup in December 2022. Neuer is back in shape and playing regularly for Bayern Munich.
The Barcelona goalkeeper has appeared in 38 matches for Germany in the last 11 years. Ter Stegen has yet to play a single World Cup or European Championship game. Euro 2024 will be held in Germany.
While Ter Stegen was out due to injury, Kevin Trapp played Germany’s two friendlies last month. Since making his Bayern return on November 1, Neuer has played in all seven of the club’s games across all competitions, showing no signs of having a fitness problem.
Ter Stegen’s replacement at Barcelona has been Iaki Pea. He made important saves in the clubs’s 1-0 triumph over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.