Matthäus on Bayern youngster Karl: "He could fulfil Hoeneß's wish" | OneFootball

Lennart Karl is currently captivating the football world – and also a club legend of FC Bayern. Lothar Matthäus sees not only an extraordinary talent in the 17-year-old offensive gem but also a great opportunity for the record champions to integrate their own youth more strongly into the professional squad.

The former world footballer and TV expert warns against too much hype but recognizes in Karl the potential to develop similarly to Jamal Musiala. In his Sky column, Matthäus writes: “Vincent Kompany has gradually introduced Karl, through short appearances in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and last week for the first time in the Champions League over 90 minutes.”

Matthäus praises the calm, targeted nurturing of the talent and believes the young left-footer can have a sustainable career: “I believe that Karl will regularly get appearances because he has delivered when he was on the pitch.”

Matthäus urges patience

Photo: IMAGO

Despite all the excitement, Matthäus calls for prudence. Discussions about a possible nomination for the German national team are considered premature by him. Nevertheless, he sees Karl as a possible “secret weapon” for the 2026 World Cup – provided his development continues to progress steeply.

“If he continues to play like this and takes the next steps, he can become a topic for national coach Julian Nagelsmann,” said the record national player in an interview with RTL.

However, it is crucial that the teenager can continue to grow calmly at FC Bayern. With coach Vincent Kompany, Matthäus sees the best conditions for this: “I think that Kompany trusts him due to his recent performances and has no worries about putting an established player on the bench or substituting him for Karl.”

Karl represents Hoeneß’s Bayern idea

Particularly exciting: Matthäus sees in Karl the fulfillment of a long-held wish of honorary president Uli Hoeneß. For years, Hoeneß has demanded that the club focus more on talents from its own youth – similar to Aleksandar Pavlovic or Josip Stanisic.

“Karl is a great opportunity for FC Bayern to integrate another player from the campus into the professionals after Pavlovic and Stanisic – just as Uli Hoeneß has always wished,” emphasizes Matthäus.

At the same time, he sees in Karl a player who could take on an important role in Kompany’s system in the long term: “He is fast, technically strong, and brings self-confidence. Bayern needs such players to create internal competition.”

That the 17-year-old is currently benefiting from Jamal Musiala’s injury is normal, says Matthäus – the real test will come when the offensive star returns.

“Once Musiala is back, it will naturally become tighter. But competition stimulates business – and Karl will get his chances.”

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