Real Madrid Transfer Target Picks Up World Cup Ending Injury

Despite already signing Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella in the summer transfer window, it is being widely reported that Real Madrid still want reinforcements in the defensive areas, owing to just how poor they were at the back last season, and well the one before that too. 

One player who has often been mentioned for central defence is Borussia Dortmund and German national team defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who has impressed in recent years for his exceptional ball playing abilities. 

The defender was named in the starting XI for both of Germany's opening two World Cup games against Curacao and Ivory Coast, and scored from a corner in the first game. 

However, the second game, against the 2023 AFCON Champions, was not so fortunate for the 27-year old. Indeed not, as he had to be pulled off at half time - and replaced by Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid - with what looked like a bad injury. 

And, well, that has proven to be exactly the case. German media are reporting that Schlotterbeck has suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle and will be sidelined for at least eight weeks. Needless to say, that ends his World Cup. 

Beyond that, it could also make things complicated. This implies he will be back towards the end of August, once the new season has just begun. Whilst he may be available just in time for 26/27, he won't have had the optimal physical preparation and pre season. 

Whether that puts Real Madrid off remains to be seen, but with the injury troubles there in recent years, Los Blancos may not want someone who will not be at their physical peak, let's see. 

In terms of some good news, this does surely mean that Rudiger will be starting for Germany for the rest of the tournament. Although not a starter before hand, it is clear the 33-year old was the next in line, as proven by how he came on for Schlotterbeck after his injury, and in the first game for Jonathan Tah to give him some rest. 

We can probably expect the aforementioned Bayern Munich central defender and Rudiger to be the central defensive duo for the rest of the tournament, barring any injuries, which was the same pairing used on home soil for Euro 2024, where Germany played pretty well, and were unfortunate to be knocked out by eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals.