Jamal Musiala has been dubbed irreplaceable "like Lionel Messi" by German icon, Lothar Matthaus, after a shock World Cup qualifying defeat to Slovakia. The Bayern Munich midfielder fractured his fibula and damaged ankle ligaments following a brutal collision with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Club World Cup. The 22-year-old was stretchered off in Atlanta, visibly distraught, and Bayern later confirmed he requires surgery that will sideline him for several months.
Germany were stunned by an incisive Slovakia as their World Cup qualification campaign got off to the worst possible start in Bratislava. David Strelec stole the show with a superb goal as he put a sluggish Antonio Rudiger to shame.
Arsenal star Kai Havertz has been ruled out of the latest Germany squad due to a knee injury. The 26-year-old will not feature in September’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, with fears raised that he could face surgery.
Liverpool star Florian Wirtz has been named Germany’s Footballer of the Year, finishing well clear of Michael Olise in the vote by sports journalists. The German midfielder’s triumph means Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, despite scoring 41 goals last season, missed out on a place in the top three entirely in a surprising snub for the England captain.
Former Manchester City and Germany goalkeeper Eike Immel has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison over fraud offences. The former footballer is said to have sold a European Championship ticket that he failed to deliver, in addition to 107 other cases registered against him for not repaying money he borrowed. Immel represented City between 1995 and 1997.