Bayern Munich prospect Lennart Karl has been taking the football world by storm. The 17-year-old has been enjoying a breakout season, scoring goals in the Bundesliga as well as the UEFA Champions League. The youngster has also enjoyed an electric start to life for Germany’s U-21s. In his debut game against Malta’s U-21s, the winger scored a brace and added another goal to his tally in Germany’s following game against Georgia. Despite Karl’s young age, the tricky left footer is already developing
a trademark goal, a curling left-footed shot from the right hand side reminiscent to a certain Arjen Robben.
While Karl’s goals may be akin to Robben, the youngster has also drawn stylistic comparisons to another former Bayern legend, Franck Ribéry. However, following the Frammersbach-born attacker latest exploits for Germany’s U-21’s, he is even drawing comparisons to, arguably, the greatest player of all time — Lionel Messi.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany addressed the comparisons between Karl and Messi.
“We have to stay objective – that’s my role,” emphasized the Belgian coach (via @iMiaSanMia). No matter how many goals they score, whatever they do – whether it’s a good game or a bad one – we have to be objective. When you’re at Bayern Munich, you have to be special even at this age. They always want to achieve more, that’s the most important thing. No matter how great a talent is, you can’t buy experience, you have to build it. That’s what we want to support. We want to help the boys get the most out of their potential.”
Kompany is the perfect manager to manage Karl’s development. The 39-year-old manager has done a stellar job at slowly blooding Karl into Bayern’s first team, giving him enough game time to develop while limiting his responsibility enough to protect his confidence. A difficult balance to find. But by applying just the right amount of heat and pressure, it looks like Kompany is producing a diamond in Lennart Karl.
