The medical staff of FC Barcelona will send LaLiga this week the detailed report of the injury of Marc-André ter Stegen. The German underwent surgery last week in Bordeaux on July 29 to treat his back problems and is now awaiting his estimated time off.

In principle, the goalkeeper anticipated being back in a maximum period of three months, as happened in February 2024. The '1' culé underwent the same surgery in November 2023 and returned before completing 90 days of absence. However, this year his situation at the club puts a huge question mark on his future.

And it is that 'Matts', although he has a contract until 2028, is not counted on by the coaching staff led by Hansi Flick. The club prioritized negotiating his departure, through an injury or transfer in the summer market, but his injury ruled out this option.

Ter Stegen's future, in the hands of the LaLiga Medical Commission

With the signing of Joan García and the renewal of Wojciech Szczesny, Ter Stegen lost his place in the team, with the Catalan being the first option for the Barça goal and the Pole his substitute for the season that begins on August 15.

However, both are waiting for their registration. This could be resolved thanks to the departure of Marc-André or, failing that, through his absence for the first half of the year. If Barça confirms that the goalkeeper requires a recovery time of four or more months, he will be able to save 80% of his salary, set at around 14 million euros gross.

In that sense, the club must send the medical report this week, with the prior authorization of the goalkeeper, to the LaLiga Medical Commission. Finally, it will be this body that determines whether or not the '1' enters the list of long-term absences.

According to the LaLiga Budget Preparation Rules, Barça will be able to reuse 50% of Ter Stegen's fee to register his replacement during the transfer market if it is a prolonged injury. The percentage rises to 80% if the recovery time is equal to or greater than five months, according to the official medical report.

Barça could suffer a 'Fair Play' penalty for Ter Stegen's injury

The problem for FC Barcelona is that, if Ter Stegen's time off is estimated at four or five months, the German cannot be medically cleared before that period. That is, if the '1' were ready to play again at the end of October, the club would suffer a severe penalty in its financial 'Fair Play'.

According to article 107 of the Budget Rules, Barça could lose three times the aforementioned excess of Squad Cost Limit or registration capacity with immediate effect. This would imply a penalty ranging from €21M (50%) to €33.6M (80%), depending on the percentage released by the team due to the goalkeeper's injury.

The 21 million correspond to 50% of his gross salary (7 'kilos') multiplied by 3, while the amount would amount to 33.6 million if the margin released were 80%. Hence, the azulgrana board prefers not to count on this option to register Joan García and the rest of their reinforcements.

If the 33-year-old goalkeeper believes he is ready to return within three months, the club will respect this time off. If, finally, his recovery takes longer than expected, the club will avoid any sanction derived from the medical report.

  • The LaLiga Medical Commission consists of four expert traumatologists: Drs. Fernández Jaén, Baro Pazos, Pérez San Roque and Ardèvol. The latter, being the former head of medical services of Barça, will remain outside the decision.