Borussia Dortmund have officially confirmed that captain Emre Can has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Saturday’s Der Klassiker defeat to Bayern Munich on February 28, 2026. The diagnosis was revealed on Sunday following medical scans, confirming the worst fears of the Bundesliga club and their supporters.
Emre Can Injury Details and Impact
Can will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season and is expected to be sidelined for “several months” according to the official Dortmund statement. The 32-year-old midfielder sustained the injury in the 41st minute following a collision with Bayern’s Konrad Laimer, initially attempting to continue playing before signaling the bench and being replaced by Ramy Bensebaini at halftime.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Emre Can (age 32) |
| Club | Borussia Dortmund (Captain) |
| Injury Type | Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) |
| Affected Knee | Left knee |
| Incident Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Match | Der Klassiker vs Bayern Munich (3-2 loss) |
| Minute of Injury | 41st minute |
| Opponent Contact | Collision with Konrad Laimer |
| Replacement | Ramy Bensebaini |
| Confirmed Date | March 1, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Season Status | Out for remainder of 2025-26 season |
| Expected Recovery Time | Several months |
| Contract Expiration | End of 2025-26 season |
| Previous Injury | Had missed 12 Bundesliga games earlier this season |
Player Background and Context
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Age | 32 years old |
| Nationality | German (48 international caps) |
| Captain Since | Summer 2023 (inherited from Marco Reus) |
| Previous Clubs | Juventus, Liverpool, Bayern Leverkusen |
| Dortmund Tenure | Since 2019-20 season (loan, then permanent) |
| Contract Status | Expiring at season end |
| Playing Record This Season | 9 Bundesliga matches, 3 goals |
| Liverpool Legacy | 167 appearances, 14 goals for Liverpool |
| Famous Goal | Overhead kick vs Watford (Goal of Season award) |
Dortmund’s Official Statement and Response
Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl expressed the club’s disappointment following the confirmation: “Emre’s injury is extremely bitter. Not just for him, but for all of us. He is our captain; he always puts the team first and is an important part of our club. Over the coming months, Emre will receive all our support so that he can make a full recovery.”
Coach Niko Kovač revealed his emotional exchange with Can following the match: “I spoke with Emre—his feeling isn’t a positive one.” Can showed determination trying to play through the injury, but the severity became apparent when he was unable to complete the first half.
Season Impact and Future Uncertainty
The injury compounds Dortmund’s midfielder crisis, occurring shortly after Can’s return from a three-game suspension due to a thigh issue. He had just been restored to the starting lineup for his first Bundesliga start since Matchday 19 against Union Berlin when the ACL injury occurred.
More significantly, Can’s current contract expires at season’s end, creating uncertainty about his future at Signal Iduna Park. Despite his struggles with persistent injury problems and declining form over recent seasons, Dortmund sporting director Kehl indicated the club may still seek to retain the experienced captain for potential recovery and rehabilitation.
World Cup Implications
At 32 years old, the ACL tear carries serious implications for Can’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The injury timeline suggests he may struggle to regain full match fitness before the tournament, potentially ending his international career despite his 48 caps for Germany.
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