Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out for eight months with a horrific knee injury, which he sustained during the La Liga clash against Villarreal on Sunday.

Ter Stegen landed awkwardly after a claiming a corner during Sunday night’s clash and players immediately called for medical help. He was stretchered out of the field and carried to a hospital close to Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica for assessments.

An early diagnosis suggested that the German goalkeeper had completely torn the rotular knee tendon, which would keep him out for at least eight months, Mundo Deportivo reported. It also means that he could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Ter Stegen was replaced with Inaki Pena in a match that Barcelona won 5-1 with their star striker Robert Lewandowski and Raphina completing a brace each.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick showed his concern about the injury, saying: “This injury makes us sad,” in a news conference.

“When you win 5-1 at Villarreal, the fans here in the stadium, also those watching on television, saw a fantastic match.

“Also from Villarreal, [they played with] unbelievable speed and were dynamic in the match. With great goals from us, we are very happy with the 5-1, but in the end, we are sad because I think the injury will be huge, but we have to wait for information.”

Barcelona’s injury list now grows with Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermín López, and Dani Olmo already out of action. However, the Flick-managed side currently sit at the top of the table, four points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid.