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Germany’s 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl could miss the World Cup after he was sent to hospital for scans on Friday following an unspecified injury during training.
Karl is regarded as one of the best young players in any World Cup team after a breakout season with Bayern Munich in which he became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League.
“Unfortunately, Lenni got injured today in training. We have to wait and see what happens with that and to be honest, it didn’t look too good,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of his side’s final World Cup fixture against the USA on Saturday.
“He has to process the situation, so do we, and we’ll have to see what we do. We’ll have to get a diagnosis for that and then we’ll inform you. Then we’ll have to see if we can hopefully stick with him for the tournament or if I have to nominate a replacement.”
World Cup rules allow Nagelsmann to call up a substitute player in case of “serious injury or illness” up to 24 hours before kickoff of Germany’s opening game. It’s June 14 against World Cup newcomer Curacao.
Karl made his debut for Germany in March to continue a rapid rise and has made three appearances for the national team, including a key starting role in last week’s 4-0 win over Finland.
Nagelsmann also said on Friday he would not risk 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer against the United States because of continuing concerns over a calf injury he suffered in Bayern last month.
This means Neuer will go to the World Cup after not playing for Germany for almost two years. He retired from the national team after the 2024 European Championship, but agreed to a recall last month.
Oliver Baumann has been Germany’s first choice for most of the time, Neuer was out and also started against Finland last week.
Report from the Associated Press.
