„You have to take him with you!“: Matthäus demands World Cup ticket for Bayern jewel Karl | OneFootball

Lothar Matthäus has called for Bayern youngster Lennart Karl to be named for the World Cup. According to the TV pundit, national coach Julian Nagelsmann must take the shooting star to the tournament

Lennart Karl continues to cause a stir – and no longer just at Säbener Straße. After his strong substitute appearance in FC Bayern’s 3-1 away win at 1. FC Köln, Lothar Matthäus has now also taken a clear stance. Germany’s record international is calling for nothing less than a World Cup nomination for the 17-year-old attacking player. A statement with a signal effect – for the DFB and for FC Bayern

Matthäus sees Karl as ready for the World Cup

Karl proved once again in Cologne why his name is being mentioned more and more frequently around FC Bayern at the moment. He came on as a substitute, was immediately present and made an immediate impact. The youngster scored a goal as a substitute and quickly gave the game a new dynamic. For Matthäus, it was a key moment. „He comes in, is there straight away, scores a goal like that,“ the 63-year-old enthused on Sky. The Bayern legend was particularly impressed by the attacking player’s first touch. „That was outstanding, with the first touch.“

But Matthäus went even further. For him, Karl is not just a talented supplementary player, but a player with an exceptional profile. „He is very strong in dribbling, he is very strong in finishing. But he also sees his teammates. That’s why he is someone you have to take with you,“ Matthäus explained with a view to the World Cup in North America this summer. A claim that is surprising in this clarity – and at the same time underlines the impression Karl has made

„He brings things with him that others don’t“

photo: Getty Images

For Matthäus, the key lies in Karl’s impact on a game. „He can put his stamp on a game in a very short space of time, brings things to the table that others don’t,“ emphasised the 1990 World Cup winner. That is precisely why he considers Lennart Karl „a player who has to go to the World Cup because of his special abilities.“ Words that are likely to increase the pressure on national coach Julian Nagelsmann, even though Karl has long been on his shortlist

The attacking player’s meteoric rise has not come out of nowhere. Karl moved from Viktoria Aschaffenburg to FC Bayern’s youth team in 2022 and developed rapidly there. He made his breakthrough into the professional ranks this season under Vincent Kompany. He is now part of the extended regular squad and is regularly deployed as an invigorating element – with growing influence

FC Bayern plans long-term with its jewel

FC Bayern are also well aware of Lennart Karl’s potential and, according to reports from the club’s inner circle, are planning to extend the attacking player’s contract for the long term at an early stage. Although Karl’s current contract is automatically extended until 2029 on his 18th birthday on 22 February, the record champions are reportedly keen to extend the deal until 2031

As BILD reports, Karl’s salary could increase massively in the course of an extension. Instead of the current one to two million euros per year, a salary of seven to eight million euros is said to be on the cards in future. Talks with the management are planned for the near future, according to reports. A clear sign of the importance Karl has in Bayern’s sporting plans for the future.