FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen left injured ahead of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. But his knee injury is probably not too serious.
According to FC Barcelona sporting director Deco, Marc-André ter Stegen does not have a serious knee injury. The German national soccer goalkeeper is doing well, Deco told broadcaster Movistar before the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. Ter Stegen is being examined in Barcelona by the doctor who recently operated on his knee.
“He had a bad feeling in his knee and of course you’re always a little worried when a player comes back from injury because he’s had problems with that knee in the past,” Deco described. Now the knee is immobilized for now. “And we’re glad it’s nothing serious.”
Goalkeeper of the second team moves up
The Spanish newspaper “Sport” had previously reported that ter Stegen ended training on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) 25 minutes earlier than planned due to an injury. Diego Kochen, the goalkeeper for the second team, is moving up.
Ter Stegen probably wouldn’t have played in the semi-final of the Supercopa on Wednesday (8 p.m.) against Athletic Bilbao anyway, coach Hansi Flick is relying on goalkeeper Joan García, and Pole Wojciech Szeczny is also still in the Catalans’ squad.
Loan deal with Girona under discussion
Ter Stegen no longer has a future in Barcelona despite a contract that runs until 2028. Most recently, there was a loan deal with relegation candidate FC Girona until the end of the season.
In order for ter Stegen to fulfill his dream of traveling to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in the summer as the German number one, he urgently needs match practice. National coach Julian Nagelsmann recently made this clear.
Only one appearance for ter Stegen in the cup
So far in the current season, Ter Stegen has only appeared in the cup game against third division club CD Guadalajara (2-0) in mid-December. He lost his regular place to García in the summer before being sidelined for a long time following back surgery.