Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out for several months with ligament injury

Germany international defender Nico Schlotterbeck will be sidelined for several months with a ligament injury to his left ankle.

The Borussia Dortmund star will miss the rest of the 2026 World Cup.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury during Germany’s World Cup clash with the Ivory Coast, and scans have now revealed the full extent of the damage.

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann admitted the setback is devastating for the player and the country.

“Schlotti will be a huge miss for us on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially because of his excellent build-up play,” Nagelsmann said (Welt.de).

“It could have been his World Cup. Fortunately, he is a very positive character who is already looking ahead.”

The injury leaves Germany without one of their most accomplished ball-playing centre-backs.

They top Group E, and a draw against Ecuador will be enough to help them maintain that position as they advance to the round of 32.

Dortmund now face the prospect of beginning preparations for the new campaign without a key defensive leader.

The timing could hardly be worse for Schlotterbeck personally. He had been linked with several elite European clubs after another outstanding campaign.

His composure in possession, progressive passing and defensive aggression make him one of the continent’s most coveted centre-backs.

Any realistic prospect of a blockbuster transfer this summer now appears to have evaporated. Real Madrid and Liverpool were reportedly interested in signing him.

Jose Mourinho is apparently a massive fan. With Los Blancos needing defensive reinforcements, he was an option.

Liverpool viewed him as a long-term successor to Virgil Van Dijk.

Schlotterbeck’s suitors are likely to postpone any move until he proves he has fully recovered.