Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen underwent a “successful” surgery for a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee, according to the club's medical team. The surgery was performed by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau – a trauma specialist in these types of injuries – with supervision from Barça’s medical staff at the Hospital of Barcelona.

This isn’t Ter Stegen’s first rodeo with this injury; he had surgery on the same tendon twice four seasons ago. Now, he’s starting a long recovery process that could keep him out for about 6 to 9 months, meaning he’s saying goodbye to the rest of the season.

The German keeper picked up the injury just before halftime in Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Villarreal in LaLiga EA Sports at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Ter Stegen had to be stretchered off right before the break after an awkward landing while trying to grab a high ball.

Up until this point, the Barça captain had played every single official match of the season, including six LaLiga games and one Champions League clash against Monaco. And with his start against Villarreal, he became the third goalkeeper in Barcelona’s history with the most LaLiga appearances (289), surpassing Antoni Ramallets.