Lennart Karl celebrating a goal for Bayern Munich in a friendly match
Bayern Munich teenage sensation Lennart Karl has moved past recent controversy after apologising to club chiefs for comments suggesting a desire to join Real Madrid, and he made an immediate impact on the pitch by scoring twice in a 5-0 friendly rout of Red Bull Salzburg.
The 17-year-old winger caused a stir when he revealed in an interview that Real Madrid was his “dream club,” sparking questions about his commitment to Bayern. Karl swiftly clarified his stance, apologising to club officials for his “unfortunate” comments.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund insisted the remarks were simply youthful naivety.
“Anyone who knows Lenny knows that. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He talks like a 17-year-old boy,” Freund said after the friendly in Austria.
“He was immediately aware that it was unfortunate. He apologised the next day, and we talked about it. He feels extremely comfortable at FC Bayern and is really enjoying his time here.”
Freund highlighted that Karl’s mention of Real Madrid stemmed from childhood admiration, not a lack of commitment to the Bundesliga leaders.
“He had a trial with Real Madrid as a kid, so that’s his dream club. But he is 17 and very happy at Bayern, and we are very happy that he is with us,” Freund added.
Karl let his football speak louder than words in Bayern’s 5-0 friendly victory over Red Bull Salzburg. Manager Vincent Kompany rotated the squad at halftime, giving academy prospects a chance to impress, and Karl did not disappoint.
In the 71st minute, he doubled Bayern’s lead after a precise assist from Felipe Chavez. Four minutes later, he set up Chavez with a perfectly timed square pass, putting the game effectively out of reach.
Karl’s performance not only reaffirmed his talent but also helped him move on from the off-field controversy in style.
At just 17, the winger is proving that Bayern can rely on their young stars to deliver on the pitch, and he remains a bright prospect for the club’s future.
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