World Cup agony as Bayern Munich star ruled out of tournament and immediately replaced

Bayern Munich star Lennart Karl has posted a heartbreaking statement after he was ruled out of the World Cup with a devastating injury.

The 18-year-old prospect had a stunning breakthrough season at Bayern, scoring nine goals and registering eight assists in 39 games in competitions and winning both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal in his first season as a professional.

His incredible rise to prominence continued as he was fast-tracked into the Germany senior side and named in Julian Nagelsmann's 26-man squad for the World Cup.

However, disaster has struck for the prospect after he picked up an injury in the team's final training session before a friendly with co-host United States.

Karl started and assisted a goal in a friendly victory over Finland on Sunday but the youngest member of the Germany squad suffered a thigh tear in training in Chicago and was taken to hospital.

The DFB confirmed that he would be ruled out of the tournament, with a disappointed Nagelsmann commenting: "I feel incredibly sorry for Lenny. It's a huge shock for him and all of us that he's missing the World Cup. It's only a small consolation that he's young and has many tournaments ahead of him. We would have loved to have him on the team."

Karl then broke his silence with a statement of his own, speaking of the pain he is feeling at having such an opportunity taken away days before his first World Cup.

Despite the hurt, he wished his Germany teammates well for the tournament in North America.

"I don't even know where to start but it hurts indescribably to have to miss the biggest tournament," Karl wrote on Instagram, alongside a blacked out picture of him lay motionless on the turf.

"Did everything to be fit for the World Cup. Unfortunately, injuries often come at the most unfortunate moment.

"I wish my team maximum success and, of course, I support them every minute!

"I will come back stronger, promise Thank you for the powerful messages Much success @dfb_team."

Germany confirm immediate replacement after star's World Cup dream is over

Though squads for the World Cup had to be announced well in advance of the tournament's opener, FIFA rules stipulate that nations can make changes to their squad in the event of an injury.

Nagelsmann had until June 13, the day before Germany's first fixture against Curacao to call up a replacement.

However, he elected to replace Karl right off the bat by bringing in RB Leipzig Assan Ouedraogo, who has been capped once by Germany after making his debut in November.

Nagelsmann added: "With Assan Ouedraogo, we're now getting a player who, like Lenny, had a fantastic start with us. He's also highly talented and we expect him to play with courage and freedom."

Germany take on the USA at Soldier Field on Saturday before they open their Group E campaign against Curacao in Houston on 14 June.

Die Mannschaft also lock horns with Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Toronto and New Jersey, respectively.