Lennart Karl: Bayern Munich's Rising Star
Bayern Munich has achieved remarkable success over the past decade, yet something has been noticeably absent.
Since Thomas Müller made his debut in 2008, the club has not seen a local academy graduate rise to prominence on the pitch. However, that has changed with the emergence of 17-year-old Lennart Karl.
Last month, Karl introduced himself to the football world by scoring two spectacular goals within three days. His strikes against Club Brugge and Borussia Monchengladbach made him Bayern's youngest scorer in the Champions League and the third-youngest in Bundesliga history.
On Wednesday, Karl netted Bayern's equalizer during their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, with one of his football inspirations, Martin Ødegaard, observing from the opposing bench. This achievement also made him the youngest player in Champions League history to score in his first two starts, surpassing Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri.
Less than a year after playing in the under-19 league, many are now advocating for his inclusion in Germany's squad for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting his remarkable ascent.
'This kid has something special'
Taufig Khalil, a Bayern Munich reporter, first recognized Karl's potential two years ago when his son attended a match where Karl scored five goals against a Bayern U17 team. "When my son came home, he said, 'Papa, it’s unbelievable. This guy, Lennart Karl, he scored five goals,'" Khalil recounted.
Last season, Karl amassed 34 goals and 11 assists across 31 games for Bayern and Germany's U17 teams, which earned him a surprise call-up to Vincent Kompany's squad for the Club World Cup.
Such impressive finishing was perhaps predictable. In 2018, a 10-year-old Karl gained viral fame for an audacious goal scored while playing for Eintracht Frankfurt's U11 team in a sports hall, where he controlled an aerial ball with a back heel before turning and volleying it into the top corner.
Karl received Eintracht's academy goal of the year award and was presented with a custom pair of Nike boots at a Bundesliga match.
Born in the small Bavarian town of Frammersbach, 45 minutes from Frankfurt, Karl joined Eintracht's academy in 2017 from his first club, Viktoria Aschaffenburg. While Eintracht recognized his potential, Bayern did as well.
It remains a sensitive topic for Eintracht that after a fallout between Karl's parents and the club, he briefly returned to Aschaffenburg before Bayern signed him at the age of 14 in 2022. Reports indicate that Bayern paid a nominal compensation fee of €35,000 to his former clubs.
Andreas Moller, Eintracht’s former head of academy, expressed regret, stating, "We tried everything and would have done anything for him. But Bayern has a very special appeal, and we had no chance." Meanwhile, Karl's younger brother Vincent continues to play in Eintracht's youth teams.
Fast forward to June 2025, Karl made his senior Bayern debut in a 10-0 victory over Auckland City at the Club World Cup in the United States. Following interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Ajax, he signed his first professional contract over the summer.
This season, he has made 15 appearances, showcasing a direct and fearless playing style that has drawn comparisons to football legends. Khalil noted, "He plays in the Messi style, with a low center of gravity that allows for quick turns, similar to an NFL running back."
There are also similarities to former Bayern forward Arjen Robben; defenders are aware that Karl prefers to cut in from the right wing to shoot with his left foot, yet they find it challenging to stop him.
German football journalist Mark Lovell commented, "Even among non-Bayern fans, there’s a real appreciation for Karl’s energy and technical quality. He plays with freedom and confidence, which is refreshing at a club where the pressure is immense."
School in the Morning
Perhaps most impressive is Karl's maturity and the composed manner in which he handles his exceptional talent. He trains diligently, learns from experienced teammates, and remains grounded amidst his rising stardom.
In an interview with Bayern’s club website, Karl expressed his determination to prove himself and develop, regardless of the age category he plays in. Lovell remarked, "For someone his age, he doesn’t look out of place at all. His decision-making, composure on the ball, and understanding of Bayern’s tactical demands under Kompany have been remarkable."
To demonstrate his grounded nature, Karl attended school the morning after scoring in his first Champions League start. Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, stated, "You don’t have to get the boy on track. He knows what he can do and shows it on the pitch."
Does the World Cup Await?
Despite calls for a senior call-up, Karl was named to Germany’s U21 team for the upcoming international window. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann noted, "At the moment he still needs more Bundesliga minutes. It’s too early for the senior team."
During the November international break, Karl scored three goals as the U21s secured victories over Malta and Georgia in qualifiers for the 2027 European U21 Championship. Days later, he scored his second Bundesliga goal to help Bayern come back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Freiburg 6-2.
Just four days later, he delivered an electrifying performance against Arsenal in his second Champions League start. While football is filled with cautionary tales of young players facing overwhelming expectations, many believe that Karl is destined to reach the next level.
Khalil commented, "As long as his head stays clear and he trusts in his abilities... he knows what he can do and is doing it without overthinking. But let’s give him time; he should only play at the World Cup if he is mature and good enough and has sufficient playing time." With former Germany captain Michael Ballack as his agent and experienced professionals like Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer as teammates, Karl is certainly surrounded by the right influences.