Who is Lennart Karl? | OneFootball

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

After Lennart Karl was named on the bench for Bayern Munich's 3-1 win against Augsburg on Matchday 28 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, it seems only a matter of time before the teenage sensation makes his first-team debut. bundesliga.com profiles the young German midfielder...

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Data correct as of 18 April 2025

Lennart Karl Age: 17 (born 22 February, 2008)Club: Bayern MunichPosition: Attacking midfielder/ wingerCountry: Germany U17 (10 caps, seven goals)

Key stats

Considered one of the brightest youngsters in German football, Karl, aged just 17, has consistently dazzled for Bayern’s youth teams.

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. After returning to Aschaffenburg, 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 has proven a talismanic figure, registering 25 goals and 10 assists in just 16 matches. In February this year, Karl was promoted to Bayern’s U19s to challenge himself against players above his age category, while also being invited to train with the first-team squad.

Five goals in six 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 has already been included in a Bundesliga matchday squad, and was seen warming up on the touch line in the first leg of Bayern's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie with Inter, which he seemed to take in his stride.

Lennart Karl looks set to be one of the stars of this summer's U17 European Championship for Germany. (Carlos Rodrigues)

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.” - Lennart Karl

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