Top News

Karim Adeyemi will not be part of the upcoming World Cup squad — a decision that many saw coming, given the 24-year-old has logged fewer than 600 minutes for Borussia Dortmund in this calendar year. The key question now is whether the forward will continue his journey in Dortmund.

The situation had long been evident, yet sporting director Lars Ricken still emphasised it. “Julian Nagelsmann knows all about his speed. And when you can take 26 players to a World Cup, you can also include specialists—players who bring a unique weapon,” Ricken told Bild recently.

Ricken was referring to Karim Adeyemi, whose so-called ‘weapon’—his pace—has recently taken on a less flattering meaning. Despite Ricken’s belief that speed is an “exceptional quality, always valuable in a tournament,” Germany’s head coach Nagelsmann chose to leave the 24-year-old out, favouring players like Maximilian Beier and Jamie Leweling, who offer similar attributes.

The decision hardly raised eyebrows: even Dortmund’s coach Niko Kovac had been using Adeyemi sparingly, not only due to the muscle injury he suffered in April.

It marks a dramatic downturn for the 11-cap international, especially in 2026 when World Cup qualifiers are ongoing. Many have already forgotten how impressive Adeyemi was during the first half of the season, when he contributed to nine goals (six goals and three assists), emerging as Dortmund’s most consistent attacking threat.

Karim Adeyemi: Less than 600 minutes of playtime in 2026

He started 16 of his 17 competitive matches in the first half of the campaign, but that figure dropped to just six after the winter break. Across those appearances, Adeyemi accumulated only 582 minutes—an average of less than 34 minutes per game—far too little to stake a strong claim for a World Cup ticket.

Although his productivity remained fairly stable with seven goal contributions (four goals and three assists), his impact as a substitute was minimal—the very role Ricken had envisioned for him at the tournament. For Kovac, who rarely made tactical switches, there was little reason to alter Adeyemi’s place on the bench.

The Croatian coach revealed on the Bild podcast “Phrasenmäher” that no player had spoken to him more frequently during his Dortmund tenure. Kovac described himself as a fan of “the man Adeyemi,” saying, “He’s a genuinely great guy.” The coach added, “A wonderful lad, not a bad person at all—if anything, sometimes he’s too good-natured. There’s no malice in him.”

Kovac on Adeyemi: “He must have more self-belief.”

However, being a pleasant personality does not earn much credit with a demanding coach like Kovac when it comes to performance on the field. Throughout his career, Adeyemi has often lacked the edge and complete professionalism required to transform his immense potential into consistent top-level performances.

“I’m absolutely convinced he can become an outstanding footballer if he adjusts certain aspects. But for that, he needs to trust me a bit more,” Kovac remarked, outlining Adeyemi’s areas for improvement. “He needs to sharpen his finishing and focus more on details. He’s been gifted with enormous talent; now it’s about the dedication and subtle refinements that take a player to the next tier. To achieve that, he must make every training minute count.”

These concerns are not new for the forward. Nearly three years ago, then-assistant coach Armin Reutershahn offered a similarly candid evaluation: “Karim has every attribute to become one of Europe’s elite players. He isn’t there yet, but he can get there. But sometimes I feel he doesn’t take things seriously enough. He can be overly relaxed in training, and I’d like to see him approach sessions with more focus and intensity.”

Karim Adeyemi and his series of disciplinary lapses

Former head coach Edin Terzic echoed Reutershahn’s view. “I completely agree with Achim on this,” he said. “We know consistency and effectiveness need to improve, and we’re working on that — including with Karim.” However, Adeyemi has yet to show meaningful progress in this regard.

Critics who question his readiness for the highest level often point to several off-field incidents. Adeyemi already had a reputation for disciplinary lapses, and his behaviour in the first half of the season only reinforced that perception.

In a matter of weeks, he was involved in multiple incidents — throwing a bottle towards the bench after being substituted, attempting to enter the dressing room mid-match, and provoking an unnecessary confrontation. To make matters worse, he triggered the club’s internal “Mystery Box” disciplinary measure. Adding to his public image issues, his marriage to a rapper has been cited as evidence of a casual attitude, inconsistent professionalism, and an excessive social media presence.

Does Adeyemi have a future at Borussia Dortmund?

The primary question now is what lies ahead for Adeyemi at Borussia Dortmund. Ricken’s public comments may have been strategically timed, as a World Cup appearance could have increased the player’s market value. Adeyemi remains a sought-after name, with offers on the table, including a possible contract extension with Dortmund.

However, no agreement has yet been finalised, and the club will need to act quickly. A potential transfer—expected to bring in at least €40 million—would provide Dortmund with greater flexibility in the market. During the upcoming summer break, Ricken and his team will have to present compelling reasons to either secure Adeyemi’s commitment or facilitate his exit.

Karim Adeyemi’s performance statistics for Borussia Dortmund