Football Bundesliga
Young star Karl on Messi comparison and Nagelsmann contacts
Lennart Karl continues to excel. In Bayern’s 6-2 win against Freiburg, the teenager was a “key player”. The World Cup problem has become more serious. His coach comments on Lenny’s hype.
According to his own statement, Lennart Karl has not had any contact with national coach Julian Nagelsmann. But that could change by 2026 at the latest, if the 17-year-old prodigious talent continues his meteoric rise at FC Bayern Munich as he is currently doing.
“I just need to show my performance and then see what Julian does,” said Karl after the German champions won 6-2 in the Bundesliga against SC Freiburg. On Saturday, among other things, as the scorer of the important 1-2 goals, Karl became a “key player” of the Munich team, as praised by sports director Max Eberl.
“Show performance – then it will work”
Karl has long thought about the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. “Of course I can also play at U21. I just have to show my performance in every game – and that will work,” said the young player confidently.
Nagelsmann has also been aiming for it (the World Cup) for a long time. In his first two appearances for the DFB U21 juniors, Karl impressed with a total of three goals in wins against Malta (6-0) and in Georgia (2-0).
The offensive player is well aware of the “positive hype” that surrounds him. But he tried to ignore it. Even comparisons with Argentinian world champion Lionel Messi (38) do not bother or unsettle him.
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He can also achieve big things in his career, “of course if he continues like this,” said Karl when asked about his role models. “But now I can’t compare myself with Messi. Messi is far above there. There’s still a long way to go.” Messi, who is 1.70 meters tall, has the same left foot as Karl, who is two centimeters shorter.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany thinks the public hype around Karl is not a problem. “I think it’s important for the kids to enjoy this phase,” said the Belgian. But for Kompany, what is most important is not the outside world. “We don’t follow the story of which left-footed player is similar to him,” said the coach about the Messi comparison. “We’ll see he becomes the best version of Lennart Karl. At the moment he’s doing very well.” And he will receive full support internally, “and then be able to grow up as a normal boy.”
Sporting director Eberl made a similar statement, finding Karl’s rapid development with Bayern’s professionals extraordinary. “Lennart Karl is Lennart Karl. And every player has his own characteristics,” said Eberl: “Lionel Messi is coming to the end of his career, Lennart Karl is just starting. He has to write his own story.”
dpa
