Julian Nagelsmann on Lennart Karl’s Injury: “He Can Still Be Proud”

Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed deep disappointment over the injury of rising star Lennart Karl, who is set to miss the FIFA World Cup. In an interview with RTL ahead of the team’s friendly against the United States, Nagelsmann praised Karl’s achievements despite the setback.

“He can still be incredibly proud that he had the chance to play in a World Cup at the age of 18,” Nagelsmann said, reflecting on the 19-year-old Bayern Munich forward’s unexpected exit from the tournament.

The Injury and Its Impact

Karl suffered a muscle bundle tear in his left thigh during a training session the day before the team’s World Cup preparation match against the U.S. in Chicago. The incident occurred during a routine shooting drill, according to Nagelsmann, who described the moment as a “relatively simple shot.”

“I immediately realized it was something serious,” Nagelsmann recounted. “He needed a moment, and then the tears came.” The coach estimated Karl would be sidelined for four to six weeks, with the possibility of a longer recovery period.

“It’s tragic for a young player to lose this opportunity due to an injury,” Nagelsmann added. “It hurts us as a team because he would have been an important player.”

Replacement and Team Adjustments

Following Karl