German prodigy Lennart Karl sidelined for World Cup with torn muscle
Germany's Lennart Karl during training in Herzogenaurach, Germany on May 28, 2026 One of the World Cup's potential breakout stars will not play at all as 18-year-old Germany midfielder Lennart Karl tore a muscle in his left thigh during a team training session on Friday in Chicago.
According to reports, Karl underwent an MRI that confirmed the injury.
Germany, which opens Group E play against Curacao on June 14 in Houston, hoped to rely on the Bayern Munich wunderkind who piled up nine goals and seven assists during 34 matches in 2025-26.
Karl posted five goals and five helpers in 26 Bundesliga matches and contributed four goals and two assists in eight Champions League appearances.
When Germany defeated Finland 4-0 in a friendly on Sunday in Germany, Karl was part of the starting lineup and assisted on Deniz Undav's second tally of the matchup at the 57-minute mark.
With Karl sidelined, Germany has the luxury of bringing in captain Joshua Kimmich to replace him in the lineup. The squad has a friendly against the United States on Saturday in Chicago to sort out potential solutions.
--Field Level Media
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