Germany's Karl Faces Possible World Cup Absence Due to Injury, According to Nagelsmann

Germany's World Cup aspirations have been dealt a potential blow, with 18-year-old forward Lennart Karl facing a uncertain future in the tournament due to an injury sustained during training, according to coach Julian Nagelsmann, who spoke on Friday in Chicago.

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Nagelsmann, addressing the media ahead of Germany's friendly match against the United States on Saturday, expressed concern over Karl's condition, stating that the young player's situation did not look promising and that he would undergo a hospital scan to determine the extent of the injury.

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A diagnosis is required before any further decisions can be made, Nagelsmann explained, adding that the team needs to assess the situation carefully and consider whether a replacement player will be called up.

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The nature of Karl's injury was not disclosed by Nagelsmann, who opted not to reveal any further details at this time.

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Karl, a Bayern Munich forward, made a notable impact this season, earning his top-flight debut and becoming an integral part of Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga-winning team.

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In his first start for Germany, Karl played a crucial role in Sunday's 4-0 victory over Finland in Mainz, providing an assist in the match.

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Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not be fit to play in the friendly match against the US, Nagelsmann confirmed, although the coach remains hopeful that Neuer will recover in time for Germany's World Cup opener against Curacao on June 14.

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Neuer, a 2014 World Cup winner, made a surprise return to the national team in May, nearly two years after announcing his retirement from international football.

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Nagelsmann expressed confidence in Neuer's ability to perform under pressure, stating that the experienced goalkeeper does not require a warm-up phase and is on his way to achieving peak fitness.

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However, Nagelsmann emphasized that the team does not want to take any risks with Neuer's health, opting to err on the side of caution ahead of the World Cup.