Overview
- Karl suffered a torn muscle fiber during Germany’s final team training session, which took place Friday, and flew back to Munich after leaving the squad before the warm-up friendly with the USA.
- Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said Karl will likely be sidelined for four to six weeks while a Bild report put the recovery at six to eight weeks, leaving his short-term availability uncertain.
- RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo was called up to Germany’s 26-man World Cup squad as the immediate replacement for Karl.
- Karl posted on Instagram that he was devastated but vowed to come back stronger, and Bayern president Herbert Hainer confirmed the club is providing top medical care and support.
- Bayern regard Karl’s injury as part of a worrying pattern of thigh and muscle problems among academy players and has launched an internal review that could change training and medical protocols for young talents.