Borussia Dortmund carefully rebuild Mussa Kaba

Borussia Dortmund are taking a cautious approach with young talent Mussa Kaba as he works his way back from a difficult, injury-hit season.

The 17-year-old attacker is currently training away from the main squad, following an individual programme designed to gradually rebuild his fitness and confidence.

As a youth player, Kaba joined the youth academy of Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, helping the club’s under-17 team win the league title. Ahead of the 2025-26 season, he was promoted to their reserve team.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Kaba did not take part in the opening sessions of BVB’s summer preparations and is instead focusing on tailored exercises and rehab work. The club’s medical and coaching staff want to avoid any setbacks after the numerous interruptions he suffered last year, so they are deliberately avoiding unnecessary risks at this stage.

The plan is to ease Kaba step by step towards full team training, only integrating him once his body has fully adapted to the increased load. For now, there is no fixed date for his return to the professional squad, but Dortmund are clearly signalling that long-term health and development matter more than short-term appearances.