Borussia Dortmund's captain Marco Reus has spoken out fighting after his possibly serious ankle injury.
"Thank you for your recovery wishes," wrote the 33-year-old on Instagram: "I'll be back soon." He congratulated his team on the derby win against Schalke 04 (1-0) and concluded: "I'll never give up."
Reus severely twisted his right foot after about half an hour on Saturday.
He covered his face in horror, screamed in pain, and slammed his fist into the grass.
A diagnosis is pending, coach Edin Terzic reported that the team doctor feared damage to the ligaments.
Teammates cheer with Reus jersey
Reus was driven home at half-time with a bandage on his foot.
The swelling may need to go down before imaging.
His teammates cheered the fourth derby win in a row in the dressing room with his jersey.
The 48-time national player will be absent from national coach Hansi Flick at least in the two Nations League games in Leipzig against Hungary (September 23) and in London three days later against England.
Reus had already missed several tournaments in the past due to various serious injuries.
He missed the 2014 World Cup with a torn ankle ligament sustained in the last friendly before the tournament.
Reus was unable to take part in the 2016 European Championships due to a pubic infection.
He gave up the EM 2021 for health reasons.