The next big step has now been taken: Lennart Karl has been called up for the German national team for the first time, with national coach Julian Nagelsmann rewarding the Bayern youngster’s strong season
Just a few months ago, the 18-year-old played no part in the DFB team and had to make do with appearances in the U21 squad. Now he is part of the squad for the upcoming international matches against Switzerland and Ghana – and is thus on the verge of his next career milestone. As BILD reports, Nagelsmann will call up the attacker for the senior national team for the first time
Reward for an extraordinary development
The nomination does not come as a surprise, but is the result of an impressive season. Karl has developed from a talent to an integral part of the professional squad at FC Bayern in a very short space of time
With seven goals and five assists, he has underlined his attacking power and, most remarkably, he has already made history as the youngest German goalscorer in the Champions League competition
This development has not gone unnoticed by national coach Nagelsmann – after deliberately putting the brakes on the hype, he is now taking the next step
What particularly distinguishes Karl is his style of play. The 1.68-metre attacking player combines pace, technique and recklessness – qualities that have often been missing from the German game recently
It is precisely this „cheekiness“ in one-on-one situations that makes him a difference-maker – and an exciting option for the national team
Big chance with a view to the World Cup
The upcoming international matches have a special significance. For Nagelsmann, they are an important test run with a view to the 2026 World Cup
For Karl, this means he has the opportunity to recommend himself directly for the tournament. The competition is fierce, but the Bayern youngster has the chance to put himself in an early position
Next step in a stellar career
Lennart Karl’s rise to the top has been rapid: he only finally made it to the pros in the summer and is now already part of the senior national team – an extraordinary journey
The next step is now imminent: proving himself on the international stage.