FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen traveled to Bordeaux this afternoon, where he will undergo surgery on Tuesday for his persistent lower back problems. The operation will take place at the Sports Clinic Bordeaux Merignac, under the care of Dr. Amélie Léglise, the same surgeon who treated him in 2023.
‼️ Marc André Ter Stegen, viajando a Burdeos en estos instantes para ser intervenido de sus molestias en la espalda.
— Carlos Monfort (@monfortcarlos) July 28, 2025
🗣️“ Mi relación con el club es buena”
🩺 Mañana pasará por quirófano en una operación a cargo de la doctora Amélie Leglise.
Imagen exclusiva en @sport. pic.twitter.com/KTF36KWJcZ
Club Not Accompanying Player Sparks Controversy
Reports from AS suggest Ter Stegen requested to travel alone, without any members of Barcelona’s medical team. While the club previously stated the operation would be supervised by its Medical Services, the player's insistence on going solo signals a possible fracture in trust between him and Barça’s hierarchy.
Ter Stegen Denies Rift With Barcelona
Despite rumors of rising tension, the German goalkeeper told SPORT at the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport: “The relationship with the club is good, always good, intact.” When asked about his physical condition, he responded with a dry chuckle:
“If you have to have surgery, I think something’s wrong, right?”
Surgery Complicates Barcelona's Financial Fair Play Hopes
Ter Stegen’s preemptive public announcement of a three-month absence stirred internal frustration.
Dear Culers,
— Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) July 24, 2025
I wear the colors and jersey of FC Barcelona with great pride, whether on or off the pitch, in moments of success and in difficult times. Today is a personally difficult day for me.
Physically and athletically, I feel in very good shape, although unfortunately I…
Such a short recovery window prevents Barça from activating Article 77 of LaLiga’s Club Budgeting Regulations, which would have allowed the club to repurpose 80% of his salary for fair play usage, vital for registering new goalkeepers like Joan Garcia or Szczesny.
LaLiga's Medical Committee Could Decide Financial Relief
If post-surgery evaluations by Dr. Léglise suggest a longer absence, Barça may appeal to LaLiga's Medical Committee (chaired by Fernández Jaén, Baro Pazos, Pérez San Roque, and Ardèvol).
Should the committee confirm a minimum four-month absence, Barça would then be allowed to allocate 80% of Ter Stegen’s wages toward new player registrations.
