Lennart Karl the new Messi? What the Bayern youngster says about the comparison | OneFootball

Lionel Messi and Lennart Karl – a comparison that seems exaggerated at first glance, but now the Bayern youngster himself has commented on it.

In the 6-2 win against Freiburg, the 17-year-old turned the game around with a goal and an assist – and once again caused a sensation. He is increasingly being compared to Messi: small, agile, left-footed, creative. Karl himself said after the game when asked about the comparison: „Of course I can be compared to Messi, a lot of people say that. But I don’t think I can be compared to Messi. Messi is at the top, I still have a long way to go. Messi is my role model.“

Coach Vincent Kompany responded to the hype with humour: „You’re laughing yourself. You just want to hear me say that. Look, Lenny is Lenny. And I’ve told my colleagues that too.“ And he made it clear: „We don’t go along with the story of which left-footed player is similar to him. We just make sure he’s the best version of Lennart Karl at the moment.“

Karl is also looking at his World Cup chances

photo: IMAGO

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen also praised Karl’s development: „It’s not usual that you have the confidence to finish at that age.“ Sporting director Max Eberl emphasized: „Lennart Karl is Lennart Karl. Always such comparisons – every player has his characteristics.“ And added: „He should write his own story.“

Asked about possible World Cup ambitions, Karl remained modest – and at the same time hopeful: „I’ll just try to perform to my best and then we’ll see what Julian [Nagelsmann] does with me. I’ll just try to give it my all here. Hopefully it works out, but if not, I’ll just have to keep going.“

Uli Hoeneß also tempered expectations: „You mustn’t forget: he’s played three or four Bundesliga games […] And with us now, if someone plays three Bundesliga games, he’s already being compared to Messi. That’s a bit exaggerated.“ President Herbert Hainer said: „You have to give the young guy time to develop.“