Bad news for Germany, although not quite as severe as initially feared. Center back Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the remainder of the World Cup after medical tests confirmed a torn ligament in his left ankle.

According to Bild, a second round of scans confirmed the severity of the injury sustained during Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. The Borussia Dortmund defender is expected to be sidelined for at least eight weeks.

Injury timeline and diagnosis

Schlotterbeck went down injured in the 13th minute after twisting his ankle. Despite the pain, he attempted to continue and stayed on the pitch until halftime before eventually asking to be substituted.

By that point, visible swelling had already raised concerns about a serious issue. Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed the worst-case scenario for both the player and the German national team.

Potential Real Madrid implications?

While the estimated two-month recovery is a major setback, it may offer some reassurance regarding his immediate future.

Schlotterbeck has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, especially after reports that manager José Mourinho pushed for the club to sign another center back. The defender recently renewed his contract, which reportedly includes a release clause allowing him to leave for a fee of around €50 million euros, roughly $57 million.

Impact on Germany’s back line

Schlotterbeck’s absence is a significant blow for head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who loses one of his key defensive players for the rest of the tournament.

After his injury, Antonio Rüdiger came on as his replacement against Ivory Coast. The Real Madrid defender is now expected to take on an even larger leadership role in Germany’s back line in the coming weeks, likely partnering with Jonathan Tah at center back.

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