Nico Schlotterbeck has said he needs time to digest an ankle injury that has ended his World Cup dream but urged all fans to back the team at the tournament.
"What matters now is the team. They deserve the full support of all Germans. Let’s stand together and show that we’re behind this German team in good times and bad, and support them on their journey to the World Cup title," Schlotterbeck wrote on Instagram.
The German Football Federation (DFB) said earlier Monday that centre-back Schlotterbeck tore an ankle ligament in Germany's second World Cup match against Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Schlotterbeck, 27, is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks, missing the rest of the tournament and also the start of pre-season training at his club Borussia Dortmund.
"I still need a bit of time to take it all in and to talk about it later. That’s why I won’t be saying anything in detail about it for the time being," he said.
