Lennart Karl’s dream of playing in the World Cup has been shattered. The Bayern talent suffered a serious muscle injury in DFB training. Now there is information about his absence
For Lennart Karl, the most exciting phase of his young career ended in bitter disappointment. The 18-year-old was about to play in his first World Cup with the German national team before an injury stopped him at the worst possible moment
The Bayern jewel tore a muscle bundle in his left front thigh during the final training session before the last World Cup test match against the USA. The injury meant he was immediately ruled out of the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico
Karl left the DFB team headquarters in Chicago on the same day as the diagnosis and made the journey home to Munich. The attacking player landed back in Germany on Saturday. He is said to have found it particularly difficult to say goodbye to his national team colleagues. Karl probably barely got a word out in the team hotel
Six to eight weeks break for Karl
It is now also clear how long Munich will have to do without their youngster. According to BILD, Karl will be out for around six to eight weeks
This means that the attacking player will not only miss the World Cup, but also a large part of the preparation for the new season. The injury is particularly bitter for FC Bayern after Karl had made an impressive rise in recent months and had even played his way into the national team with strong performances
The 18-year-old received support from Bayern President Herbert Hainer immediately after his return, with the 71-year-old personally contacting Karl and encouraging him
„I sent him a WhatsApp and told him that he has to look ahead now, as big as the disappointment is, of course. Because he still has such a great future ahead of him. Lennart is receiving the best medical treatment from us, and he also has an example in his team of how quickly things can move forward again: Aleks Pavlovic was ruled out two years ago just before the European Championship – and today he is a regular in the national team.“
Hainer: „We are incredibly sorry“
Hainer was also saddened by the Bayern talent’s withdrawal from the World Cup: „Of course I’m incredibly sorry for Lennart, who has developed so well. For such a young player, going to the World Cup is of course the greatest thing.“
The president added: „We would all have loved to have seen him at the World Cup, because Lennart represents a wonderful story: within just one season as a talent from the FC Bayern campus straight to the World Cup. He shows what is possible at FC Bayern.“
Karl will now begin his rehab and the hope at Säbener Straße is that the youngster will be able to get back into action quickly after the summer break and continue his strong development of recent months.