Sunday night was a mixed bag for FC Barcelona. They achieved a commanding 5-1 win against Villarreal, but it came with a heavy toll. Team captain and starting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a severe knee injury during the game.
The club confirmed that the 32-year-old experienced a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee and will have surgery later today. This significant injury is likely to sideline Ter Stegen for eight to nine months, effectively ending his season.
**Ancelotti Offers Support**
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti quickly voiced his support for Ter Stegen. In a press conference today, he praised the goalkeeper as “one of the best” and expressed hopes for his swift recovery.
“It’s unfortunate to see such an important player like Ter Stegen injured. I wish him a speedy recovery,” Ancelotti remarked, also addressing the growing issue of player injuries and the need for the football community to consider the demanding schedule players face.
**Courtois Shows Solidarity**
Before Ancelotti spoke, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois conveyed his sympathy to Ter Stegen through social media. He expressed sadness over the injury and wished the Barcelona captain a quick recovery.
“I’m sorry to see you injured, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. It was painful to watch you leave the field like that. I hope to see you back in goal soon,” Courtois wrote.
Ter Stegen’s surgery is set for today, and further updates on his recovery timeline are anticipated.
