„More than just an option“: Lennart Karl’s World Cup calls are getting louder and louder | OneFootball

The hype surrounding Lennart Karl shows no sign of abating. The 17-year-old is making headlines week after week in an FC Bayern shirt – and is now increasingly becoming the focus of the national team. Michael Ballack has a clear opinion on this

Lennart Karl is perhaps the most exciting player in German soccer at the moment. At just 17, the attacking player has not only firmly established himself in the professional squad at FC Bayern, but has long since become a factor in crucial matches. In the 2-2 draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05, it was once again Karl who put the German record champions ahead with his goal

Before the game, Michael Ballack spoke at length on DAZN about the development of his protégé. The former DFB captain, who also acts as Karl’s advisor, was impressed by the youngster’s consistency and maturity. „What he’s showing week after week is very unusual and extraordinary. Both as a substitute and as a regular player – he’s doing really outstandingly well,“ emphasized Ballack

Especially with a view to next year’s World Cup, Karl’s name is becoming increasingly relevant from Ballack’s point of view. The 48-year-old gave a clear indication to national coach Julian Nagelsmann. „That will be decided in the next five to six months, where Julian Nagelsmann will take a closer look and how he will put together the squad. But he has proven that he has options and that Lennart is of course more than just an option,“ said Ballack

Karl’s rapid development at FC Bayern

photo: IMAGO

The numbers back up Ballack’s assessment. Lennart Karl has already scored six goals and provided two assists in 21 competitive matches for FC Bayern this season. The left-footer even provided a historic moment in the Champions League recently when he set an age record with his goals. The fact that he confirms these performances not only against international opponents, but also in everyday life in the Bundesliga, makes his development all the more remarkable

Karl has been an integral part of the Bayern squad since last summer and has earned the trust of the coaching team under Vincent Kompany in a very short space of time. His style of play is astonishingly mature, with pace, dribbling, intelligence and, above all, his strong left foot setting him apart from many of his peers

Karl has not yet been called up for the senior national team. He has been playing for the German U21s since November, where he has also quickly made his mark. For Ballack, however, this is only a matter of time. „I believe that when you are already at this level at such a young age, you have a certain quality, and there is no doubt about that. He has invested a lot in it and brings an incredible amount to the table and he has a very good left foot,“ explained the former international

Whether he actually makes it to the World Cup in the end will largely depend on Karl’s further development. But the direction is clear. Lennart Karl has long been more than just a talent – and for more and more experts, more than just an option for the German national team.