World Cup over for Nmecha? Bitter new details on BVB blow | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund has to cope with a setback: Felix Nmecha’s knee injury is more serious than initially thought. Despite hopes of a comeback, the BVB star could even miss the World Cup.

Felix Nmecha’s injury is causing growing concern at Borussia Dortmund and within the national team — and it apparently is more serious than first known. As BILD reports, the midfielder suffered a tear of the lateral ligament in his knee during the 3-2 win over Hamburger SV.

At first, BVB had only spoken of a lateral ligament injury, but the new details highlight the seriousness of the situation. One bit of good news: surgery is not necessary, and Dortmund will instead rely on conservative treatment. Even so, Nmecha will be out for several weeks and is unlikely to return before the end of the season at the earliest.

That means the 25-year-old is now in a race against time. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann plans to name his provisional World Cup squad on May 12 — exactly when Nmecha could ideally make his comeback. Whether that will be enough, however, remains completely unclear.

Nagelsmann himself recently sounded skeptical and made the uncertainty clear: “There is definitely a risk that he won’t be able to play at the World Cup.” Even with a quick recovery, there would still be a risk because: “Even then, there is still no guarantee that he will be pain-free or able to tolerate the pain.”

Lothar Matthäus praises BVB star Felix Nmecha

For Borussia Dortmund, the absence is already a major setback. Nmecha has been an indispensable regular this season and has impressed both in the Bundesliga and on the international stage. He was also recently seen as an important part of the Germany squad in central midfield, including as a candidate for the double pivot.

Photo: IMAGO

Even so, hope for a timely return remains alive. If rehab goes perfectly, the BVB star could be back on the pitch in May — in time for the decisive phase of the season and with an eye on the World Cup. Lothar Matthäus also underlined just how important he has become: “If Felix Nmecha continues this development and stays free of injuries, then he will not only be the key figure in Dortmund, but can also be the playmaker in the national team.”

Whether Nmecha will actually be able to take on that role at the upcoming World Cup, however, remains uncertain. The coming weeks are likely to be the decisive test.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.