Germany's Rising Star Karl Injured in Training, World Cup Hopes in Doubt

(CNA, Berlin, June 5, Comprehensive Foreign Report) German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann revealed today that the team's prodigious rising star forward, Lennart Karl, may miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup due to an injury sustained in training.

According to AFP, the German team is set to play its final warm-up match against the United States in Chicago on June 6th before the World Cup begins. Nagelsmann confirmed at a pre-match press conference that the 18-year-old Karl was injured during training, and his participation is now in doubt.

Nagelsmann said, "To be honest, it doesn't look good. He is now at the hospital undergoing a CT scan. Both the coaching staff and he himself need some time to process this blow. We have to wait for the specific diagnosis report to evaluate the next steps, at which point we will decide whether to make an emergency call-up for a replacement."

Nagelsmann did not disclose the specific location or severity of Karl's injury.

Karl, who plays for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, is in his first top-flight professional season. However, his impressive performances quickly earned him a firm place under Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, making him a key contributor to Bayern's Bundesliga title win.

Karl made his first career start for the national team in Germany's 4-0 victory over Finland in a friendly on May 31, where he successfully provided an assist.

In addition to Karl's injury, Nagelsmann also confirmed that legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not be available for the warm-up match against the United States. However, he is optimistic that Neuer will be ready for Germany's World Cup group stage opener against Curaçao on June 14.

Neuer, a key member of the 2014 Brazil World Cup-winning squad, was surprisingly recalled to the national team in May of this year, nearly two years after announcing his retirement from international football.

Speaking about the veteran goalkeeper, Nagelsmann said, "With his experience and career, he doesn't need a warm-up match to get into form. He knows exactly how to handle high-pressure major tournaments. His physical condition is gradually peaking, but we will take absolutely no risks in tomorrow's warm-up match."