Lennart Karl has made a big impression in his first season as a professional at FC Bayern. Quite a few experts see hints of Lionel Messi in his movements. He himself also sees a special connection to the Argentinian
Even at first glance, it is noticeable that both players are small, have a low centre of gravity and like to play from the wing. Both have a tight ball control and both want to get into good finishing positions with their left foot
Of course, we’re only talking about similarities in playing style here, because comparing Karl to perhaps the best player of all time after one season would be far too premature
Karl on his special connection to Messi
The Bayern youngster does, however, look up to Messi and has a special connection to him, as he revealed in an interview with the club’s own members‘ magazine „51“. In fact, he „always has Messi with him“, as Karl has now revealed
„Yes, Messi is on my left shin guard. He’s been my role model since I could play soccer at all – left-footed, also rather small, a player who does things with the ball that are brutal. It gives me something in my head to have him with me. It’s simply an incentive to work hard to make a name for myself at the highest level,“ said the FC Bayern youngster
No one can assume that Karl will one day rise to similar spheres as Messi, but the FC Bayern youngster definitely has ambitious goals and knows that he still has to work on himself in some core elements of the game
But Karl also has some teammates who show him exactly what to do as a professional. The 18-year-old has already said in an interview that he looks up to Michael Olise in particular, but also admires the training zeal of players like Harry Kane.
