Nagelsmann Faces Doubts on Teen Sensation Karl Ahead of World Cup

Germany’s World Cup preparations were jolted in Chicago as Julian Nagelsmann admitted teenage forward Karl is a serious doubt for the tournament after suffering an injury in training.

The 18-year-old, fresh from a breakthrough season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and a bright full debut for the national team, left camp on Friday to undergo scans.

“To be honest, it didn't look good. He's going to the hospital now to get a scan done,” Nagelsmann said, laying bare the concern in the German camp ahead of Saturday’s friendly against the United States, their final warm-up before the World Cup.

For now, the exact nature of Karl’s injury remains under wraps. The coach declined to specify what the youngster had damaged, focusing instead on the emotional and tactical shock of potentially losing him so close to the tournament.

“We need to process the situation first, and so does he. We need a diagnosis in order to do that. Then we'll see whether or not we call up a replacement,” Nagelsmann explained.

It is a brutal twist for a player who has surged from promise to prominence in a matter of months. Karl made his top-flight debut this season and quickly forced his way into Vincent Kompany’s Bayern side, becoming part of the team that powered to the Bundesliga title. His form there pushed him into Nagelsmann’s plans; his performance for Germany against Finland in Mainz last Sunday seemed to confirm he belonged.

In that 4-0 win, Karl started his first match for the national team and marked the occasion with an assist, showcasing the direct running and sharp decision-making that had made him one of the most talked-about young attackers in Europe. Now, on the eve of a World Cup, his momentum hangs on the outcome of a scan.

While Karl’s status clouds the attacking picture, the goalkeeping situation is also in flux.

Nagelsmann confirmed that Manuel Neuer will not be available to face the United States, as the veteran goalkeeper continues his push toward full fitness. The plan, though, is clear: Germany still expect the 2014 World Cup winner to be ready for their opening match against Curacao on June 14.

Neuer’s presence in this squad is a story in itself. Recalled in May, almost two years after announcing his international retirement, the Bayern goalkeeper has been fast-tracked back into the fold for one more major tournament.

“At his age, he doesn't need a warm-up phase,” Nagelsmann said. “He knows how to handle high-pressure situations. He's on his way to peak fitness. However, we don't want to take any risks tomorrow.”

So Germany go into their final friendly without their most experienced player and possibly without their most exciting new one. The veteran is being carefully managed for the long haul. The teenager waits for a scan that could define his summer.