World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund defensive stalwart Nico Schlotterbeck is back to his best after overcoming injury and will be looking to carry over his form to the German national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer.
Name: Nico Schlotterbeck
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nation: Germany
International debut: 26 March 2022
Caps: 25
International goals: -
Stats correct as of 31 May 2026
How was his 2025/26 campaign?
Schlotterbeck’s physically imposing figure at the heart of Dortmund’s steely defence has been a catalyst in Niko Kovač’s charges conceding only 34 goals in the Bundesliga this season – the best defensive record in the league, as the Black-Yellows finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.
Skippering the side on numerous occasions in the absence of Emre Can, Schlotterbeck featured in 11 of the 15 Bundesliga games Dortmund recorded a clean sheet, while his five strikes is also the German’s best return to date. A domineering presence, only compatriot Waldemar Anton (298) has won more duels than Schlotterbeck (293) in the Dortmund squad.
Watch: Dortmund's in-demand rock at the back
What he brings to the national team
Schlotterbeck has emerged as the preferred candidate to start alongside Bayern’s Jonathan Tah in Nagelsmann’s Germany squad. Boasting world-class anticipation, Dortmund’s tough-tackling defensive star is far more than an immovable object. Among defenders, only Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo (eight) and Hamburg’s Luka Vušković (six) have scored more goals.
Not only that, Dortmund’s defensive star rarely gives possession away, as underlined by his pass completion rate of 88.5 per cent in the Bundesliga this season, and often instigates attacks with his ability to play long-range and defensive-splitting passes, which could prove a useful asset for Germany.
What his coaches say
"He offers excellent build-up play and possesses a strong winning mentality. Now we finally have a left-footed player at the back, which does us good." - Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann
“He’s highly valued, both within the team and by the fans. It’s not easy to make yourself popular with fans these days, but he’s managed to do so by the way he plays football. Here in the Ruhr Valley, you need emotion and aggression. He has that.” - Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač
