Ankle Injury Puts Marco Reus’ World Cup in Doubt for Germany

Dortmund's Marco Reus is carried off the pitch during the German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2022. (dpa via AP)
Dortmund's Marco Reus is carried off the pitch during the German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2022. (dpa via AP)
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Ankle Injury Puts Marco Reus’ World Cup in Doubt for Germany

Dortmund's Marco Reus is carried off the pitch during the German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2022. (dpa via AP)
Dortmund's Marco Reus is carried off the pitch during the German Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2022. (dpa via AP)

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus is again in danger of missing a major tournament for Germany.

The 33-year-old Reus was stretchered off in the first half of Dortmund’s Ruhr derby against Schalke on Saturday with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

Reus was in tears after bending his right ankle unnaturally in a challenge for the ball with Schalke’s Florian Flick. American Gio Reyna came on for Reus while Flick was able to continue after treatment on his knee.

Flick’s namesake Hansi Flick — the Germany coach — had included Reus in his squad for the upcoming international games against Hungary and England and was counting on the attacking midfielder as a key member of his World Cup squad.

The tournament starts in Qatar on Nov. 20. Germany plays Japan in Doha three days later, four days before it faces Spain in Al Khor, where it also plays its last game in Group E against Costa Rica on Dec. 1.

Reus has been plagued by injuries at inopportune times throughout his career. He missed Germany’s World Cup win in 2014 with an ankle injury sustained in a warm-up game, and a groin injury ruled him out of the 2016 European Championship. He played in Germany’s unsuccessful World Cup defense in 2018 but skipped the next European Championship to recover after his season with Dortmund.

There was no immediate word from Dortmund on the seriousness of Reus’ injury. The player was still receiving treatment in the changing room before halftime and was due to be brought to a hospital.

Reus has 15 goals in 48 games for Germany.



Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
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Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden on Saturday will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian honor in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians and diplomats.

Among those to receive honors from the outgoing US president are basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and soccer superstar Lionel Messi, AFP reported.

The honorees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement,