Bayern Munich's young prince Lennart Karl on path to footballing royalty
The Bundesliga is on red alert for its newest teenaged sensation, a talent who already appears destined for world greatness at just 17, and Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl is taking it all in his attacking stride.
When strutting his stuff at youth level for the Bavarian club - scoring 34 goals for the U17 and U19 teams in 2024/25 - there seemed little doubt that Karl would make it in the Bundesliga big time, and without delay.
Yet, for all of his immense promise, the 5'7" attacking schemer still had to test his mettle among the giants in the tough, physical environment of German top-flight football.
Added to that, with those who had witnessed him already declaring that the young, Lower Franconia native looked set to be the new Arjen Robben or Franck Ribéry, the pressure of emulating a couple of former club favourites and global icons was in the ether.
Watch: Karl's brilliance stuns Freiburg
At the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States during the summer, Karl stepped out onto the stage as he made his senior Bayern bow, and the truth is, he has looked an assured, confident presence ever since, a footballing natural fiercely determined to demonstrate his on-field flair.
“A strength of mine is that I'm not afraid of my opponents, no matter how old they are,” Karl declared in a recent interview with the German Football Association (DFB). “Of course, I respect all of my opponents, but I always try to play normal football. That's the best way to showcase your qualities.”
As the season has progressed, so too has the sight of Karl cutting inside and firing sumptuous, long-range shots past despairing goalkeepers, much like Robben and Ribéry once did in their prime for Bayern. However, there is something especially original about Karl - in his movement, his awareness and intelligence to occupy half spaces and open up games.
Karl’s latest Bundesliga appearance against Freiburg on Matchday 11 highlighted all of the above attributes, and as much as his playing prowess is beginning to become the norm, it is easy to overlook just how far this teenager has come in barely a few months.
Displaying blistering form in pre-season, he was subsequently briefly involved in the record champions' Franz Beckenbauer Supercup win and made his Bundesliga debut against RB Leipzig soon afterwards. Matchday 8 then brought a first Bundesliga goal, against Borussia Mönchengladbach - later named October's best no less.
Watch: Karl wins October Goal of the Month
With Bayern suffering the loss of world talent Jamal Musiala to a long-term injury at the aforementioned Club World Cup, over time, the defending Bundesliga champions began to sense Karl might be able to help to fill the attacking void vacated by their talismanic 22-year-old while he fought his way back to full fitness.
Capable of playing in a central role behind striker Harry Kane or wide on the right, the predominantly left-footed Karl is also happy to drop deep to collect possession and build play when midfields are congested and spaces at a premium.
Musiala’s magic would be sorely missed by any team, but Karl’s creativity, spark, goals and assists in a pulsating Bayern attack that includes Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, Serge Gnabry and Kane is helping to ease the pressure on Musiala’s return to action.
Watch: Bayern's keys to success
Indeed, Karl’s influence on games can already be seen with his 16 shots on goal in 298 top-flight minutes, or one every 19 minutes. Bundesliga top scorer Kane, for example, boasts a shot every 27 minutes this term.
In a further display of his fearlessness ahead of a UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge, Karl spoke of imagining being named Man of the Match when selected to make his first-ever start in the competition.
He duly scored a breathtaking opener in the encounter, becoming Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the tournament. Vincent Kompany’s team beat Brugge 4-0 to continue their 100 per cent start in the competition, while Karl would be named the game’s best player, just as he had aspired to be.
Watch: Teens taking their chances in the Bundesliga
Fast forward to the Freiburg match, and with Bayern 2-0 down at home, Karl stepped up to drag his team back into the contest at the Allianz Arena.
Pulling the visitors out of position by dropping deep, then appearing on the right and at times attacking through the centre with his sublime dribbling skills, the one-time Eintracht Frankfurt youth eventually wore down the hitherto confident Black Forest side, who were left chasing the empty spaces the energetic Karl had vacated.
Bayern’s No. 42 scored for 2-1 and his subsequent assist for Olise’s fifth Bundesliga goal of the season had the teams on term at the break. In what was another first, Karl became the first Bayern player to bag a goal and an assist as a 17-year-old in the Bundesliga. It was also a case of crisis averted, with the league leaders eventually running out 6-2 winners.
In nine Bundesliga appearances so far in 2025/26, Karl has four goal involvements – two goals and two assists.
“Making that first starting XI for Bayern for the first time was definitely something special,” he recalled of his full Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim on Matchday 4. "The goals in the Champions League and Bundesliga were particularly great, but my first assist [for Kane] against Hoffenheim was also important for me. I can't get those moments out of my head,” he continued.
Unsurprisingly, Karl’s morale is currently through the roof, even more so after he scored twice on his Germany U21 debut against Malta - as the youngest player in Antonio Di Salvo's squad - and added another goal in a win against Georgia during the November international break.
Citing Lionel Messi as his childhood idol, the Bayern attacker also has a fondness for Arsenal FC’s Martin Ødegaard, “He's also a left-footer, plays in the playmaker position and has good vision and a good shot,” he explained.
Asked by the DFB to describe what makes Karl himself stand out, the player responded, “I'd say I have a lot of speed and a quick burst of acceleration. Most of my opponents already know that I also like to cut inside, however, somehow, I still manage to get past them sometimes. I still need to work on my first touch with my right foot; that's something I need to focus on.”
And on those Robben/Ribery comparisons? “I'm aware of it, of course, but I don't let it influence me,” he told Bayern’s official website. “What counts is what happens on the pitch and not what's posted on some Instagram page. I can compartmentalise it well and block out everything else.”
Karl’s tunnel vision, combined with his unquestionable ambition and ability, are already combining to mould a true Bayern original.
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