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.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – DECEMBER 10: Emre Can of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund v Bodo Glimt at the Signal Iduna Park on December 10, 2025 in Dortmund Germany (Photo by Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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.

FAQs

When did Emre Can suffer his ACL injury?

Can suffered the torn ACL on February 28, 2026, during the 41st minute of Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 home loss to Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker.

How long will Emre Can be out?

Borussia Dortmund confirmed Can will be sidelined for “several months” and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

What happened during the injury incident?

Can collided with Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer in the 41st minute, suffering a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee. He attempted to continue but had to be substituted before halftime.

What is Emre Can’s contract status with Dortmund?

Can’s contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. Despite the injury, Dortmund has shown interest in renewing his contract.

Will Can participate in the 2026 World Cup?

Can’s World Cup participation is uncertain given his age (32) and the ACL injury timeline, which may prevent full fitness recovery before the tournament.