Emre Can Dortmund skipper ruled out for rest of season after ACL injury

Borussia Dortmund skipper Emre Can faces missing the rest of the season following confirmation from medical scans that he suffered an ACL tear during the teams 3-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The club issued a statement on Sunday verifying the injury and noting that Can will be sidelined for a lengthy spell.

The midfielder who previously starred for Liverpool and Juventus grabbed at his left knee following a challenge with Bayerns Konrad Laimer shortly before the interval. He continued playing briefly before alerting the bench and being substituted.

Post match concerns pointed to a major knee problem and sporting director Sebastian Kehl confirmed on Sunday that those suspicions were unfortunately accurate.

Emres injury hits hard. It affects not only him but the entire group.

He leads as captain prioritises the team and forms a key element of our setup. We will stand by Emre throughout the months ahead to aid his complete rehabilitation.

Can moved to Dortmund from Juventus in 2020 and assumed the captaincy prior to the 2023-24 campaign though his existing deal with the club runs out at the end of summer.

This setback dashes the 32 year olds chances of earning a spot in the Germany team for the upcoming World Cup. He boasts 48 international appearances for his nation with two goals to his name yet has been absent from the national setup since September 2024.