Ter Stegen returns to Germany after 15 months: “Doubts creep in”

Marc-André Ter Stegen is back with Germany this Thursday after 15 months away from international duty. The 34-year-old goalkeeper, currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona, will play in Amsterdam against the Netherlands in what he described as a “madness” shaped by the way his injury timeline unfolded.

A return with heavy meaning

In an interview with RTL/Sky, he talked about the long rehabilitation spell and admitted that doubts appeared during his comeback. “I can’t say I didn’t have doubts more than once… Especially when one injury comes after another. You start doubting and nothing feels right,” he said. Even so, he stressed he never imagined he wouldn’t return to the pitch: “I’ve never doubted I’d come back, because that’s my mindset.”

He also sounded relieved about where he is right now, saying he’s finally at the level he expected: “I’m glad everything really is as I imagined… being fit right now is something I value a lot.” Ter Stegen hasn’t played for Germany since June 2025, and injuries kept him out of the World Cup.

Neuer, contact and respect

At a press conference, he was asked whether Manuel Neuer had congratulated him for becoming Germany’s new No. 1 and whether they had spoken. Ter Stegen’s answer was direct: “No… I also didn’t get in touch with him… sorry, that was my mistake.” He explained the last time he saw Neuer was before the World Cup and avoided speculating about his future. “It’s nice he’s in shape and playing… I don’t know if this will be his last season. If it is, I wish him a great ending to his career.”

He closed with admiration for a rival he faced for years: “He’s a legend of German football. I have a lot of respect for what he did for German football.” According to Ter Stegen, Thursday’s match in Amsterdam—because of the backdrop and everything that happened over the past 15 months—will be especially significant.