Lennart KarlPlayer·Lennart Karl, the prodigious 18-year-old right winger for Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich, has publicly revealed a unique tribute to his long-standing idol, Lionel MessiPlayer·Lionel Messi. Throughout the entire 2025/26 season, Karl has worn custom shin guards adorned with an image of the Argentine maestro during every competitive match, a constant source of inspiration on the pitch.
Karl, a left-footed player known for his exceptional dribbling and close control, articulated the profound influence Messi has had on his career in an interview with Bayern's members' magazine, '51'. "He's been my role model ever since I could play football – left-footed, on the smaller side too, a player who does incredible things with the ball," Karl stated. "Having him with me gives me something to think about. It's simply an incentive to work hard to make a name for myself at the highest level."
The 2025/26 season has indeed been a breakthrough campaign for Lennart KarlPlayer·Lennart Karl. He has made a significant impact for Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich, recording 5 goals and 5 assists in 26 BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga appearances, accumulating 1,282 minutes on the field and maintaining an average FotMob rating of 7.13. Across all competitions, his contributions have been even more substantial, with 9 goals and 8 assists in 40 appearances.
Karl's talent has shone brightly on the European stage as well, where he distinguished himself by becoming the youngest player ever to score in three consecutive Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League matches, surpassing a record previously held by Kylian Mbappé. His performances have been instrumental in Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich's domestic success, as the club secured the BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga title, the DFB Pokal, and the Super CupCompetition·Super Cup during the 2025/26 season. Beyond these, Karl also competed in the FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup.
His impressive club form earned him a senior international debut for Germany in March 2026, and he has since accumulated 3 caps. Germany's coach, Julian NagelsmannCoach·Julian Nagelsmann, has acknowledged Karl's strong performances, positioning him as a strong contender for a starting spot on the right wing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026Competition·FIFA World Cup 2026™. Germany is set to face CuraçaoTeam·Curaçao, Ivory CoastTeam·Ivory Coast, and EcuadorTeam·Ecuador in the group stage of the tournament.
Despite drawing comparisons to Messi due to his similar playing style and physical attributes, Karl maintains a grounded perspective. In November 2025, when asked about such comparisons, he humbly remarked, "Other people have said that – I can't compare myself to Messi. Messi is at the very top and there's still a long way to go to reach that." This blend of ambition and humility, coupled with his unique tribute, continues to define Lennart KarlPlayer·Lennart Karl's burgeoning career.
Germany national team in a group photo before their friendly match against Finland. (MIS/IMAGO)
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