“I’m ready”
The former defense chief is becoming important again
Updated June 22, 2026 – 3:57 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Before the tournament, Julian Nagelsmann often spoke about the new German central defender duo. This now needs to be rebuilt again.
Nico Schlotterbecks WM ended prematurely. After an MRI examination it is clear: the central defender of Borussia Dortmund seriously injured his left ankle in the second group game against Ivory Coast and fell loudly DFB for “several months”.
“We will miss Schlotti very much on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent playmaking. It could have been his World Cup,” said Julian Nagelsmann in a statement released by the association this morning.
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Also at BVB the disappointment is great. Lars Ricken said: “I’m extremely sorry for Nico, he was in really good shape and was an integral part of our national team’s starting eleven.” The end of the World Cup was “incredibly bitter” for the Dortmund player. Nevertheless, Schlotterbeck will come back stronger “this time too”.
“Luckily he’s a very positive guy”
Despite the diagnosis, the 26-year-old will initially stay at the team headquarters in Winston-Salem. There he received a lot of encouragement after the examination. “We all tried to build him up. Luckily he is a very positive guy who is already looking ahead,” said Nagelsmann. The fact that Schlotterbeck is staying with the team for the time being is “a nice sign. Because he also has influence off the pitch.”
Schlotterbeck was injured in the early stages of the game against Ivory Coast Torontowhich Germany won 2-1 late on. He suffered a torn medial ligament. After treatment, he initially continued playing and held out until halftime. He received support on site from his wife, his two-year-old son and his teammates. The DFB reacted in its Instagram story with a broken heart emoji.
For Nagelsmann it is the next failure. Serge Gnabry already missed the World Cup due to injury. In addition, it moved Lennart Karl suffered an injury in training before the dress rehearsal against the USA. Assan Ouédraogo was nominated for the Munich player. Germany is not allowed to appoint a replacement for Schlotterbeck due to FIFA regulations.
Former defense chief becomes important again
“Despite his absence, we are there in central defense Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw are very well positioned,” said Nagelsmann. This means that Rüdiger in particular is becoming more of a focus. After returning from Toronto, the former defense chief left the charter plane with Schlotterbeck’s son in his arms. Now his role on the pitch is likely to increase again.
