New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) Germany have suffered a major blow ahead of the FIFA World Cup after teenage attacking midfielder Lennart Karl was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury sustained during training in the United States, coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed on Saturday.

The 18-year-old suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during a training session in Chicago on Friday. He was taken to the hospital afterward. Karl will be replaced on Germany’s World Cup squad by Assan Ouedraogo.

Nagelsmann expressed his disappointment over losing one of Germany’s brightest young talents just before the tournament.

“I feel incredibly sorry for Lenny,” the Germany coach said. “With his light-heartedness, creativity, pace, and personality, he fit into the team perfectly.”

Karl’s absence follows a breakthrough season where he became one of the most exciting young players in European football. The midfielder had a rapid rise with Bayern Munich, helping the club secure the domestic double and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. His performances earned him a spot in Germany’s World Cup plans.

Nagelsmann recognized the emotional impact this setback has on both the player and the team.

“It is a huge shock for him and for all of us that he will miss the World Cup,” he said. “It is only a small consolation that he is young and still has many tournaments ahead of him.”

Germany has turned to Ouedraogo as Karl’s replacement. Nagelsmann encouraged the young player to take advantage of this opportunity on the big stage.

“With Assan Ouedraogo, we are getting a player who, like Lenny, had a great start with us,” Nagelsmann said. “He is also highly talented and is meant to play here boldly and freely.”

Germany arrived in the United States on Tuesday to finish preparations for the World Cup, which starts next week. The four-time world champions are looking to break a long drought on the international stage after unexpected group-stage exits in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Germany’s last major victory came in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Nagelsmann’s team has openly stated their goal to lift the trophy again. Drawn in Group E, Germany will begin their campaign against Curacao on June 14, followed by matches against Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage.

–IANS

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