Germany's Gnabry confirms World Cup dream is over
Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry attends a training session at the training facility on Saebener Strasse ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Second Leg soocer match against Real Madrid. Sven Hoppe/dpa Germany's Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry will miss the football World Cup in June and July because of his adductor injury, he confirmed on Wednesday. Media reports and hints from Bayern figures had previously suggested he would not be fit for the tournament in North America.
The 30-year-old suffered a tear in his right thigh last week while taking penalties in training and missed Bayern being crowned Bundesliga champions on Sunday. "The last few days have been tough to process. A @fcbayern season which still holds much to play for after securing another @bundesliga title on the weekend," Gnabry, who will also miss a potential Champions League triumph, wrote on Instagram.
"As for the World Cup dream with @dfb_team.. That’s sadly over for me. Like the rest of the country I’ll be supporting the boys from home.
Now it’s time to focus on recovery and getting back for pre-season. Thank you for all the messages. " For Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, Gnabry's absence is a blow with the winger set to have been a starter.
His pace, experience and goal threat were seen as an ideal complement to the silky skills of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz. Musiala, only just fully fit after a broken leg, is now likely to become an even more key player for Nagelsmann and Bayern coach Vincent Kompany. Galatasaray's Leroy Sané and Bayern youngster Lennart Karl are also likely to play a bigger role at the World Cup.