Goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann underwent surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital after breaking his cervical vertebra. “Such serious injuries are very rare in football,” said former soccer world champion Jürgen Klinsmann about his son’s injury. “We were all shocked.”
The keeper collided with an opposing player during a defensive action shortly before the end of his club AC Cesena’s away game in the Italian Serie B against US Palermo (0-2) last Saturday. He received a blow to the head.
Thanks for encouragement
“I have received so much support, help and encouragement since Sunday in Palermo, Cesena and especially in Heidelberg – I would like to thank you for that,” said Jonathan Klinsmann in a statement from Klinsmann’s media management.
The goalkeeper has been playing for Cesena since February 2024, when he moved from Major League Soccer in the USA to LA Galaxy in Italy. Klinsmann was under contract with Hertha BSC from 2017 to 2019. He was nominated for the US national team for the first time last summer, but he was missing from the squad so far in 2026. The season is over for him.
Healing process has a “good prognosis”
“We were primarily able to reconstruct the complex fracture very well and correct the instability. The healing process is now just as important, which has a good prognosis due to Jonathan Klinsmann’s excellent physical condition,” said Stefan Hemmer, head of the spine department at the University Orthopedics in Heidelberg.