Everyone is currently raving about Lennart Karl, with one world champion and ex-FCB star even comparing the FC Bayern youngster to Lionel Messi.
Lennart Karl is currently one of FC Bayern’s most exciting young players – and his rapid development is causing a stir. After strong weeks in Munich and impressive performances for the German U21s, the 17-year-old has now received high praise from world champion Olaf Thon. The former international and Bayern star draws a comparison that makes you sit up and take notice.
„You can compare him to Lionel Messi because of the way he plays,“ said Thon on SPORT1. „Whether he can emulate this great idol remains to be seen, but the beginnings are there.“ Words that should make Karl particularly happy, as Messi has been his great role model for years.
Thon sees the parallels between Karl and the Argentinian above all in the Bayern youngster’s exceptional technique: his tight dribbling, quick agility, drive towards goal and ability to find solutions in tight spaces. Karl showed precisely these qualities recently for the U21s, when he scored twice against Malta and also scored a goal in the 2-0 win in Georgia.
Thon sees „the most potential“ in Karl
Thon sees the fact that Karl was not nominated for the senior national team as a positive: „Most of the players have to be regulars at their clubs. That’s why I think it’s good that he left Lennart Karl with the U21s.“ However, the attacking player is „a candidate who could definitely be invited in the future and maybe even be in the squad for the 2026 World Cup“.
For Thon, Karl is currently the greatest promise in the German youth system: „For me, Karl is the one who has the most potential – not only to become a regular at Bayern, but also in the national team.“