Real Madrid News
World Cup injury could hamper Bundesliga star’s potential move to Real Madrid – report
Real Madrid’s transfer plans may need some recalibration after an injury to one of their star defensive targets.
Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck suffered a ligament injury against Ivory Coast in the first half, but laboured on until half-time before being withdrawn.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Schlotterbeck’s injury will be assessed soon, and if it proves serious, it will be difficult for the player to move this summer.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann also confirmed that there are concerns over ligament damage and his availability for the rest of the tournament.
“Nico is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury. It’s not looking good,” he said after the game.
🚨🇩🇪 Nico Schlotterbeck World Cup could be over due to an injury.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2026
“Nico is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury. It's not looking good”, says Julian Nagelsmann. pic.twitter.com/lxN8Jfy7Xy
That is the key point for Real Madrid. A club can admire a player, a coach can want him and the price can be clear, but a major injury forces everyone to slow down.
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Schlotterbeck has been one of the more interesting defensive names linked with Real Madrid. The left-footed centre-back offers personality, aerial strength, ball progression and experience at a high level.
Dortmund had made a surprising request in talks by putting Gonzalo Garcia’s name on the table as part of the Schlotterbeck chase, but that does not seem like a feasible option.
Jose Mourinho wants more defensive authority, and Schlotterbeck looked like a player who could give the back line a different balance.
Signing an injured central defender, though, would not be straightforward. Despite the long-term upside, it is not a risk Madrid would want to take.
Real Madrid must wait for the diagnosis
This is where patience matters. Until the medical assessment is complete, there is no need to draw conclusions.
Germany will hope that this ligament injury is only minor. Real Madrid will also hope for the same, as it would allow them to make a concrete attempt to sign him this summer.
Real Madrid should keep the file open, but they cannot build their defensive plan around uncertainty.
If Mourinho wants another centre-back ready for pre-season, the club may need to advance other names while monitoring Schlotterbeck’s recovery.
Regardless, this is a conversation for after the test results come out, and it remains to be seen how things play out on this front.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
