Sports
Why everyone is talking about Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl, 17
Bayern Munich have started the 2025-26 season with 13 consecutive wins to equal the record set by AC Milan in 1992-93 across the five major European leagues. And they’ve done so without star midfielder Jamal Musiala, who broke his leg at the Club World Cup over the summer and will miss most of the campaign.
But they’ve also announced the next wonderkid on the European scene, as 17-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl has taken the world by storm to score twice in a week. Indeed, Karl has gone from rising star to regular first-team contributor at Bayern in only a matter of months, during which time he became the club’s youngest-ever Champions League goal scorer when he netted against Club Brugge.
He first joined Bayern academy at age 12, after formative spells at Viktoria Aschaffenburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, but he raced through multiple youth groups within three years, made his bow for the senior team and signed a professional contract that runs until the end of 2028 (with a reported automatic option to extend it longer on his 18th birthday, Feb. 22, 2026)
A long-term prodigy within Germany’s youth national teams, Karl’s development has been both anticipated and carefully managed. Despite having only featured up to Under-17 level so far, his impact there has been emphatic, with seven goals in 13 outings, and he is often used as the creative lynchpin of a talented generation.
The goal for Bayern against Brugge put him on the map as one of Germany’s most promising young prospects, and he continues to impress when given a chance to shine.
His game fits the concept of the modern Bayern attacking midfielder perfectly. Quick, direct, tactically flexible and technically superb, Karl has all the tools at his disposal and scored his first Bundesliga goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend.
Position
Though generally comfortable in any role behind the central striker — including as a No. 10 — Karl is most effective as a right-sided playmaker who drifts inside onto his stronger left foot.
Excellent at playing between the defensive lines, his low center of gravity — he measures at just under 5-foot-6 — gives him the balance and agility to navigate short spaces. Meanwhile, an explosive first step makes him elusive in crowded areas, often allowing him to slip away from defenders before they’ve had the chance to get settled.
While predominantly right sided, Karl’s versatility is also a significant plus. He can operate centrally as a linking midfielder, or push wider to create overloads, showing the spatial awareness and timing to adjust as the game develops.
His ability to receive the ball on the half-turn and connect quickly his teammates has also successfully translated to senior level.
Strengths
1:06
Bayern’s 17-year-old Lennart Karl scores a beauty for his first Bundesliga goal
Bayern’s 17-year-old Lennart Karl scores a beauty for his first Bundesliga goal to pad the lead against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arguably, Karl’s most distinctive feature is his ball progression at pace. He manages physical contact well for his size, handles the ball neatly in tight areas and accelerates quickly away from pressure. His rapid changes of direction often open up space that he can exploit with disguised passes, give-and-go combinations, or early crosses. All of which are skills that make him hard to defend against.
Karl has also demonstrated that his build-up capabilities can be turned into end product. Across his U17 and U19 seasons at Bayern, Karl produced more than 30 goals and 10 assists, which are excellent figures for a teenager operating largely from wide or advanced midfield areas.
Those numbers match well with what scouts consistently praise: his direct, purposeful runs into the box, a confident shooting technique and an instinct for striking the ball early before defenders have time to react.
Even with only a handful of senior appearances under his belt, Karl’s decision making in the final third is mature for his age. He often receives the ball cleanly, generally releases at the right moment and shows composure under pressure. Moreover, there a clear tactical imprint from Bayern’s coaching at “The Campus” academy to his game: a preference for short, quick exchanges around the area, but also the vision to attack space when defenders step up too high.
Technically, Karl is very well equipped and thrives in combinational play, yet he also carries enough individual flair to create moments on his own. His first touch sets up his next move and his body orientation when receiving possession allows him to open up multiple passing angles.
While not a natural playmaker in the classical sense, his creative instincts — especially on cutbacks and disguised through balls — make him a valuable “connector” between midfield and attack.
While Karl isn’t physically imposing, he does compensate to a certain degree with remarkable balance and coordination. Early signs have shown that he can deal with challenges, regain his footing and keep the ball alive under contact, which are pre-requisites for someone entering the physical intensity of top-flight football. Furthermore, his intensity also matches Bayern’s brand of possession-dominant, attacking football.
Things to work on
Karl’s next steps mostly revolve around consistency and robustness. While his technical base is already outstanding, sustaining intensity across full matches — particularly off the ball — remains an obvious area to work on.
Applying himself in the counter-press, tracking runners and maintaining compact defensive shape are also learning points and should come with maturity and physical development.
Some habits from youth football will need refining too. Against academy opponents, Karl could often beat one extra defender and still find a way to take a shot; at senior level, however, the right choice may be an early one-two pass or finding the overlapping right back. And while the speed of his decision making is good, exploiting the split-second “execution window” against experienced defenders is likely to be a key area to improve.
Bayern’s head coach Vincent Kompany has publicly urged calm by stressing patience over premature expectations. That balance suits Karl’s personality well, as he’s grounded and receptive to feedback, aided by the presence of his agent and mentor — former Germany captain Michael Ballack — who advises him on his career and on developing the defensive side of his game.
In quotes
“Lennart considers Martin Ödegaard as a role model, and I really do see parallels. But he’s also a bit like Arjen Robben and Michael Olise – players who like to cut inside and finish.” — Bayern youth coach Patrick Kaniuth
“I’m not a fan of hype, and now he will be getting some of that. I’m a fan of training and calm … Everyone knows he can score goals and if he keeps going like this, he’ll get a chance and maybe at the right time he’ll need a bit of calm.” — Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany
“As a young player, you don’t have pressure. I want Lennart to feel that too. He has to enjoy what he’s doing. If he makes mistakes, we’ll discuss it. Hopefully, at some point, the pressure will be on his shoulders. But for now he should enjoy these moments without any pressure.” — Kompany
“He’s a fantastic player. He’s not afraid to dribble. He just has to keep working hard, and he’ll have a great future ahead of him.” — Bayern teammate Harry Kane
“I really want to establish myself here at Bayern … 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
What’s next?
Bayern’s stated progression plan for Karl is sensible: they want to avoid external noise and ensure his gradual exposure to senior football. After all, pre-season minutes have turned into real matchday opportunities, which is already an encouraging sign at a club where young attackers often wait longer for opportunities.
In the short term, Bayern seem intent on rotating Karl through multiple attacking roles: as a right-sided inside-forward, a narrow No. 10, and occasionally a left-sided option to encourage his two-footed development. Each role offers a different challenge, but will help refining abilities such as acceleration, composure, flexibility, game intelligence and creative risk-taking.
His continued involvement with Germany’s youth teams is also expected and a U21 call-up seems a logical next step in November. Though at this rate a senior call-up (perhaps even for the summer’s World Cup?) should not be ruled out either.
Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand is on Manchester United‘s transfer shortlist, while N’Golo Kanté is being targeted for a return to Europe. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
– Amorim expects Man Utd transfer requests in Jan.
– Madrid’s Alonso on Vini Jr. Clásico furore: ‘Subject closed’
– Liverpool’s Arne Slot refuses to give update on contract talks
TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester United are weighing up a move for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, according to TEAMtalk. The Red Devils are continuing to assess the transfer market ahead of plans to strengthen manager Ruben Amorim’s midfield in January. It is reported that Hjulmand, 26, could be acquired for half of the fee that United would be expected to pay to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton or Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson, with recent reports indicating that either could require an offer worth between £100 million and £120m to secure. Hjulmand, who has previously been linked with Juventus, has been on United’s shortlist for a long time.
– Paris FC are dreaming of signing Al Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kanté, reports Foot Mercato. The 34-year-old is yet to extend his contract with the Saudi club, and newly promoted Ligue 1 side Paris FC see it as a “golden opportunity” to bring him back to Europe. Kanté has made six starts in the Saudi Pro League so far this season, and he will enter the final 18 months of his deal in January. He won one Premier League title with Leicester City and another with Chelsea, where he also won the UEFA Champions League, before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023. He also wont he 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, for whom he last appeared in November 2024.
– A move for Bayern Munich center-back Dayot Upamecano is being considered by Internazionale, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. It is believed that the France international is yet to communicate a desire to stay put at the Allianz Arena, and the Nerazurri are “poised to make a move” if an opportunity arises to land him. The 27-year-old is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract in January, while Lazio‘s Mario Gila is seen as a potential alternative.
– Multiple clubs are lining up to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee in January. TEAMtalk reports that West Ham United are among five Premier League teams keen on a move for the 24-year-old, but they are facing competition from Europe, with Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven also interested. Previous reports have indicated that the Red Devils would prefer to keep their squad together beyond the next transfer window, but with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Zirkzee wants to play regular minutes to have a chance of being selected in the Netherlands‘ squad for the tournament.
– Clubs in the Premier League are interested in Palmeiras forward Vitor Roque, according to Diario AS. The 20-year-old left Barcelona for a fee of €25m in February and he has hit form again upon his return to Brazil, scoring goals in 27 league matches. His performances are believed to have caught the attention of clubs in Europe, but teams in England‘s top flight are “favorites” in the race for him.
EXPERT TAKE
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Zirkzee, Mainoo facing uncertain futures at Manchester United
Rob Dawson says Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo are hoping for new clubs in the transfer window.
OTHER RUMORS
Arsenal are considering an approach for Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Lennart Karl, with the Emirates Stadium hierarchy willing to back manager Mikel Arteta in January. (CaughtOffside)
Liverpool are planning to hand new contracts to midfield pair Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. (Fabrizio Romano)
Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher “remains an option” for Manchester United in their search for a midfielder. (Fabrizio Romano)
Jadon Sancho could be set to return to Manchester United in January, with Aston Villa “unimpressed.” with his recent performances during his loan spell. (Football Insider)
West Ham are reluctant to part ways with midfielder Lucas Paquetá in January. (Football Insider)
Juventus, Internazionale, and Roma are interested in a potential move for Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup who has also been approached by teams in the Premier League. (Nicolò Schira)
Aston Villa and Leeds United are among the teams interested in PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari. (TBR Football)
Napoli, Sevilla, and Real Betis are looking at Club America winger Brian Rodríguez. (Ekrem Konur)
Talks over a new contract are set to take place between Sassuolo and forward Armand Laurienté. (Nicolò Schira)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After Austin Reaves carried the Lakers as their solo star all week, Luka Doncic returned Friday to take the baton back with another 40-point performance in Los Angeles’ 117-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Doncic, who missed the previous three games with a sprained finger on his left hand and a lower left leg contusion that he thought might keep him out until at least Sunday, flew to Memphis separately to join the team Thursday and went on to pour in a game-high 44 points.
It was Doncic’s third straight 40-point game after scoring 43 on opening night against Golden State followed by 49 against Minnesota, becoming the only player in NBA history other than Wilt Chamberlain to top the 40-point plateau in three straight games to begin his season. (Chamberlain did it twice — seven straight games in 1962-63 and five straight in 1961-62).
“I mean, I feel great,” Doncic said when asked about being included in such rare company with the basketball legend. “But obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better. So that’s the whole point, trying to help the team to win. And sometimes it’s going to be scoring, sometimes other things.”
He did other things, too, leading L.A. with 12 rebounds and six assists as the Lakers fought back from a 15-point second-half deficit to win their first NBA Cup group play game, but it was the scoring that was most impressive — especially because of the other luminaries he joined.
Only Chamberlain, Doncic and Michael Jordan in 1986-87 scored 125 points or more in their first three games to start a season; Doncic has 136.
And, by averaging 45.3 points in his first three games, Doncic became the first Lakers player since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to average 45 or more in any three-game span.
Doncic was asked if he could become the only player other than Chamberlain to average 40 for a season.
“That’s going to be tough,” Doncic said. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had I think three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. So … I’ve got to work on that. But that’s tough. I don’t know.”
When told that Reaves didn’t think it was crazy, saying after the Lakers’ home win over Minnesota that he thought 40 was within Doncic’s reach, Doncic said with a smile, “Austin’s stupid.”
Reaves averaged 40 points on 50% shooting (41.4% from 3) with 10 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in the three games that Doncic missed, with LeBron James (sciatica) also sidelined. After Friday’s win, he had more praise for Doncic, and a critique of himself.
“His ability to get us off to hot starts is big for us because, if you come out and he has 15 in the first, we’re going to score, I would assume, 30 [points],” Reaves said of Doncic, who leads the league in first-quarter scoring, averaging 13 points. “Unless everybody else is shooting bricks like I was tonight.”
Reaves started the game 2-for-9 but finished as the Lakers’ second-leading scorer with 21 points.
L.A. also got big contributions from Marcus Smart, who was in the starting lineup after a two-game absence because of a right quad injury and put up 12 points, four assists and two steals; and Jake LaRavia, who had 13 points, five rebounds and three steals against his former team.
Deandre Ayton had nine points on 4-for-6 shooting in the first half but didn’t play after halftime because of what coach JJ Redick called “middle back spasms.” Ayton spent the third quarter in the locker room trying to get loose and said he would have returned to the game in the fourth quarter if called upon, but L.A. was able to hold on without him.
Ayton said he expects to be available when the Lakers host the Miami Heat on Sunday.
That will be another opportunity for Doncic to score 40 and another chance for his teammates to find ways to describe what they are seeing from their teammate.
“Fantasticness,” Smart said, making up his own word for what Doncic is doing this season. “It’s been great to watch.”
TORONTO — With everything on the line Saturday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers plan to start Shohei Ohtani on short rest in Game 7. A final decision had not been made as of late Friday night, but the team is leaning in that direction.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in a news conference after his team’s 3-1, season-saving win in Game 6 that every pitcher except Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be available.
That includes Tyler Glasnow, who was lined up to start Game 7 but came out of the bullpen to record the final three outs in Friday’s Game 6. It includes Roki Sasaki, who faced seven batters. And it includes Ohtani, whose easiest path to pitching has always been to open the game, rather than coming out of the bullpen.
Ohtani pitched six innings and threw 93 pitches in Game 4 and would be taking the mound on three days’ rest. Ohtani has previously made one start on three days’ rest, but that was after completing only two innings in a prior start in 2023. Every other major league start for Ohtani has come on five or six days’ rest.
Because of the two-way rule, though, starting Ohtani ensures he can remain in the game as the designated hitter after he exits as a pitcher. If he were to come in as a reliever and then exit with the game ongoing, Ohtani would have to play in the outfield to bat again. Closing the game — like he did to finish the 2023 World Baseball Classic for his native Japan — is also an option, but it is further complicated by having to juggle warming up while batting or running the bases.
The Blue Jays will start Max Scherzer in Game 7 and, to some extent, have every pitcher available other than Kevin Gausman. That includes 22-year-old phenom Trey Yesavage, who dominated the Dodgers in Wednesday’s Game 5, striking out 12 while throwing seven innings of one-run ball. Saturday would have qualified as Yesavage’s bullpen day. Instead, he could pitch the decisive game of the 2025 season.
“If the people who make the decision think it’s a good idea for the team,” Yesavage said, “then I’m all for it.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan contributed to this report.
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