Who is Lennart Karl? | OneFootball

Lennart Karl: Who is the Bayern Munich youngster being compared to Michael Olise?

Lennart Karl has long been making waves in the Bayern Munich academy, to the extent that head coach Vincent Kompany included him in his FIFA Club World Cup squad in the USA. After being handed his first-team debut against Auckland, bundesliga.com profiles the young German midfielder...

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Stats correct as of 15 June 2025

Lennart Karl Age: 17 (born 22 February, 2008)Club: Bayern MunichPosition: Attacking midfielder/ wingerCountry: Germany U17 (11 caps, seven goals)

Key stats

Considered one of the brightest youngsters in German football, Karl, aged just 17, has consistently dazzled in the youth teams for both club and country. For the latter, seven goals in just 11 outings for Germany's U17s have Karl earmarked as a future full international.

An attacking midfielder who excels as a No.10 or right winger, Karl began his youth career at Bavarian Regionalliga (fourth-tier) outfit Viktoria Aschaffenburg, before a spell in Eintracht Frankfurt’s academy between 2017 and 2021. The left-footer caught the eye of Bayern scouts and was snapped up by the Bundesliga giants in 2022.

In 2024/25, playing mostly for Bayern's U17s, Karl was a talismanic figure, registering 27 goals and 11 assists in just 18 matches. In February this year, Karl was promoted to Bayern’s U19s to challenge himself against older players, while also being invited to train with the first-team squad.

Lennart Karl has now made a series of Bayern matchday squads and already shone for Germany U17s. (Carlos Rodrigues)

Seven goals in nine league appearances for the former show he is more than capable of handling the step up. The hope now is that he will be able to transition to senior football just as smoothly.

He was included in three Bundesliga matchday squads in 2024/25, and was on the bench for both legs of Bayern's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie with Inter. A summer call-up to join the seniors for the Club World Cup further highlighted Karl's rapid development, with the youngster being granted his debut in Bayern's tournament opener. Karl played the second 45 minutes in Bayern's 10-0 win against Auckland City FC and more than held his own alongside his world-famous colleagues.

Plays a bit like: Michael Olise

“Lennart considers Martin Ödegaard as a role model, and I really do see parallels,” revealed Bayern youth coach Patrick Kaniuth. “But he's also a bit like Arjen Robben and Michael Olise – players who like to cut inside and finish.”

The young man of the moment, however, isn't too fazed by comparisons, even if he has taken a leaf out of some famous predecessors' books.

"I'm aware of it, of course, but I don't let it influence me," he told Bayern's official club website. "What counts is what happens on the pitch and not what's posted on some Instagram page."

Did you know?

While playing for Frankfurt's U11s back in 2018, Karl won the academy's goal of the year award for a jaw-dropping strike which saw him control a long pass with his heel before spinning and volleying into the top corner.

It's a frankly ridiculous goal for anyone to score, let alone a 10-year-old...

What they're saying

“Lennart is a very good finisher and has a strong left foot in general. When he's on the ball, you automatically lean forward as a spectator.” – Patrick Kaniuth, Bayern youth coach.

"Playing for Bayern has always been his dream. As soon as we'd looked around the academy campus here, Lennart was sure he wanted to play football for this club." – Steffen Aloe, Lennart Karl's father.

"I really want to establish myself here at Bayern and one day play for the club in the Champions League. I always want to play and prove myself, whether it's with the first team, the U19s or the U17s. I intend to always give my all in order to continue to develop.” - Karl on his ambitions at Bayern

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