Lennart Karl

Lennart Karl (born 22 February 2008) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Germany national team.

Karl joined the academy of Viktoria Aschaffenburg in 2015, and he moved to the academy of Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017. In June 2018, he took part at a scouting tournament by Real Madrid in Germany, but was ultimately rejected. Four years later, Frankfurt wanted to extend Karl's academy contract, but since Bayern Munich showed strong interest, Karl expressed his willingness to join Bayern's academy in the summer of 2022, which led to his exemption at Frankfurt at the beginning of the same year. In order to bridge his time until summer, he immediately rejoined Viktoria Aschaffenburg in order to stay in rhythm, before he joined Bayern Munich's academy. During the 2024–25 season he started with the U17 Nachwuchsliga Group F for Bayern Munich with 17 goals and 8 assists in just 9 appearances. In October 2024 top-flight clubs, like Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax, showed interest in recruiting him. At only 16 years of age, Karl already represented both the under-17 and under-19 squads during the 2024–25 season, featuring at the UEFA Youth League.

On 4 April 2025, he received his first call-up to the senior team of Bayern Munich, for a 3–1 away victory Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg, as an unused substitute. Two months later, on 15 June, Karl made his professional debut during a 10–0 victory over Auckland City in the FIFA Club World Cup, playing the full second half.

Karl was one of the players that were called up by Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, for the 2025 pre-season matches against Ligue 1 club Lyon, Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and Swiss Super League club Grasshopper. On 8 August, Karl extended his contract with the club and chose to wear the shirt number 42, which was previously worn by Jamal Musiala. Later that year, on 22 October, he scored his first professional goal in a 4–0 victory over Belgian Pro League club Club Brugge in the Champions League, becoming the club's youngest-ever scorer in the competition at 17 years and 242 days old, surpassing the previous record held by Jamal Musiala. Three days later, he netted his first Bundesliga goal in a 3–0 away win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. On 22 November, he recorded a goal and an assist in a 6–2 victory over SC Freiburg, becoming the youngest Bayern Munich player to achieve this feat in a single Bundesliga match. A month later, on 9 December, he netted a goal in a 3–1 victory over Portuguese Primeira Liga club Sporting CP, becoming the youngest player ever to score in three consecutive Champions League matches, breaking the previous record set by Kylian Mbappé. On 18 March 2026, Karl scored his fourth Champions League goal in the round of 16 second leg, a 4–1 home victory over Atalanta. On 4 April 2026, Karl scored a late extra-time winner in the 98th minute against SC Freiburg and assisted a previous goal, to help Bayern go 9 points clear of Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race, scoring his 5th league goal of the season.

Karl has represented the Germany national U15, U16 and U17, for whom he featured in the 2025 Under-17 Euros, as well as the U21 team. For the latter, he gave his debut at the under-21 Euro qualifiers in November 2025, scoring a brace on his debut against Malta, thus becoming the second youngest goalscorer in German under-21 history behind Youssoufa Moukoko. Since it is not confirmed whether Moukoko's age is real or not, the possibility for Karl to be the youngest goalscorer yet remains.

On 19 March 2026, Karl received his first senior Germany national team call-up by head coach Julian Nagelsmann, for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana. He would make his debut against the former eight days later in a 4–3 away victory.

Karl is a left-footed attacking midfielder, acting as a number 10, sitting behind the striker and dictating play in the final third. He often scores goals from long range. With his intelligence on the ball and considerable goal contributions he has drawn comparisons with Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil and Bastian Schweinsteiger. He's also used as a winger, predominantly on the right side, often switching positions with fellow attacking midfielders mid-play. His cutting inside from the right wing, left-footed long-range goal scoring ability as well as dribbling has also, especially due to his short and slight physique, led to further comparisons with club legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry, as well as comparisons to Lionel Messi.

As of match played 4 April 2026

As of match played 30 March 2026

Bayern Munich

• Franz Beckenbauer Supercup: 2025

Individual

• Bundesliga Goal of the Month: October 2025

• Fritz Walter Medal: U17 Silver Medal 2025

• Profile at the FC Bayern Munich website

• Lennart Karl at WorldFootball.net

• Lennart Karl at kicker (in German)