Small but magical: Lennart Karl thrives with the 'Messi effect' | OneFootball

Lennart Karl is currently causing quite a stir at FC Bayern – and it's due to a physical trait often considered a disadvantage in modern football. At 17 years old and 1.68 meters tall, he is the smallest player in the Bayern squad – yet this is his greatest advantage. A sports scientist explains why Karl has the "Messi advantage."

The young offensive player has quickly won the hearts of the fans. After his dream goal against Bruges in the Champions League and his score in Gladbach, it's clear: Karl is no fluke, but a true discovery. His movements are quick, precise, and hardly predictable – reminding many observers of Lionel Messi in his prime.

"A small body is better on the wing"

Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse from the German Sport University Cologne explains in a conversation with BILD why smaller players like Karl are so dangerous: "A small body is better on the wing. Smaller players are more agile, have closer ball control, and make shorter, quicker steps. They can usually dribble better and have a tighter movement radius."

Thus, like Lionel Messi (1.70 m) once did, Karl has a natural advantage in dribbling. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction quickly and brake explosively. The Bayern youngster already took advantage of this ability in the Champions League when he left several defenders behind in the 1-0 win against Bruges before shooting the ball under the crossbar.

Froböse even sees a parallel between Karl and the Argentine world star: "In Lennart Karl, I see great similarities to Messi, especially in dribbling. Such players can get through the smallest gaps. Their low center of gravity is more efficient when braking abruptly and accelerating again."

Karl also benefits mentally from the "Flea" effect

The sports scientist sees the height as not only a physical but also a psychological advantage. "Small players spend their whole lives doing nothing but asserting themselves against bigger players. This trains mental strength and ensures great resilience," says Froböse.

Karl has already proven this indomitable will multiple times. Despite his young age and physical disadvantage, he consistently asserts himself in the tight spaces of Bayern's offense. The combination of agility, courage, and game intelligence makes him so valuable in Kompany's system.

Small players, big impact

Although Froböse also sees disadvantages – such as in duels or aerial battles – in Bayern's game, this hardly matters. Kompany's team dominates the ball, mostly operates through flat combinations, and demands creativity in tight spaces – an ideal environment for a player like Karl.

"The big players can physically push you away, so you need distance and spatial awareness. But small players have a huge repertoire of movements – they are dynamic and unpredictable," explains Froböse.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.