Berlin – German national team goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has spoken candidly about the mental pressure he experienced during lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injuries.
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“I can’t say that I didn’t doubt myself a lot, especially after the injury, and especially when one injury leads to another. You start doubting yourself and feel like nothing is going right,” the 34-year-old told RTL and Sky in an interview.
However, ter Stegen stressed that he never doubted his ability to return to the pitch.
“That’s because of my mentality and the way I see myself as a person,” said ter Stegen, who last played for Germany in June 2025 against France.
Ter Stegen was subsequently sidelined with a back injury before suffering another thigh injury, ruling him out of the World Cup.
The goalkeeper said his lengthy recovery from the injuries involved “progress and setbacks.”
“I’m happy that everything is actually going the way I imagined it would. I’m healthy now, and I really appreciate that. I think you realize the value of it even more when you go through a long period of suffering,” he added.
Ter Stegen is set to make his 45th international appearance on Thursday, at the start of new Germany coach Jürgen Klopp’s tenure in the UEFA Nations League, against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The match would represent an ideal culmination of his comeback.
“It’s crazy, I have to say. I never imagined that my return would happen this way,” said ter Stegen, who is on loan at Dutch club Ajax this season.
