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Nagelsmann supports Ter Stegen's World Cup ambitions despite harsh injury setback

Nagelsmann supports Ter Stegen's World Cup ambitions despite harsh injury setback
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Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed support on Tuesday for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as he aims to recover his form before the 2026 World Cup following the keepers latest fitness challenge.

In his second outing for Girona on Saturday after moving there on a half year loan from Barcelona to secure more minutes in preparation for the major event the 33 year old picked up a thigh muscle problem.

Girona announced that Ter Stegen will have additional assessments yet the keeper appears likely to be out for numerous months covering Germanys pair of March internationals versus Switzerland and Ghana.

This situation is incredibly tough Nagelsmann shared with AFP affiliate SID on Monday. Marc had only just come back and was progressing well. We had high hopes for his comeback to the national squad.

The priority now is for him to heal calmly without extra strain. We stand united with him.

For years Ter Stegen served as Germanys backup to World Cup champion Manuel Neuer stepping up to the primary role post Neuer's 2024 exit though he has encountered repeated health issues.

He sat out significant portions of the previous term due to a knee issue and has been absent this year because of a spinal condition.

Such problems played a part in his departure from Barcelona where the 2015 Champions League victor dropped to third in the pecking order behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.

Nagelsmann along with German FA executive Rudi Voeller have repeatedly confirmed Ter Stegen as the top choice for Germany when available stressing the importance of game experience prior to the competition.

With Ter Stegen unavailable Hoffenheim shot stopper Oliver Baumann has stepped up though demands for Neuer's reintroduction have intensified.

A participant in four World Cups with a win in the 2014 edition in Brazil Neuer will turn 40 before the event kicks off in the United States Canada and Mexico on 11 June.

Neuer continues as skipper for Bayern Munich appearing in 16 of the teams 20 Bundesliga fixtures this term.