Berlin, Dec 10 (LatestNewsX) – Bayern Munich’s 17‑year‑old Lennart Karl snagged a standing ovation in the 76th minute after scoring in the club’s 3‑1 Champions League victory over Sporting. His goal made him the youngest player ever to net in three straight games, sparking talk of a potential 2026 World Cup call‑up.
Karl, who struck Bayern’s second in the 69th minute, surpassed Kylian Mbappé’s record of three goals at 18 years and 113 days. At 17 years and 290 days he earned the Man of the Match award and left the pitch with a shy smile.
Back in his hometown of Frammersbach—a 5,000‑strong town about 80 km east of Frankfurt—excitement swelled. During the match he tried out a new celebration that seemed to signal his desire for the hype to calm down, reports Xinhua.
The teenager has reportedly attracted the attention of Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and is a constant talking point. Bayern has prepared a professional contract through 2029 that will take effect on his 18th birthday, Feb 22, 2006, while his family is figuring out how to handle growing scrutiny.
Mother Caro returns from supermarket trips with a long list of autograph requests, and father Steffen is fielding interview inquiries. The family plans to relocate to Munich, even though 14‑year‑old brother Vincent has joined Eintracht Frankfurt’s youth setup.
Despite all the buzz, Karl went back to his room at Bayern’s campus on Tuesday evening, where he will stay until he turns 18 before moving into his own apartment.
“I am proud of the team and me, we did a good job,” he said, admitting that he had stayed silent during recent training sessions.
“I rarely spoke a word with all these stars and world‑class players around me,” he added, revealing that he is dreaming of the 2026 World Cup after a tough 2023‑24 season, when he struggled to balance sporting and school commitments.
Extra training and intensified study paved the way for his breakthrough after joining Bayern in 2022.
“He always is creating chances, even when not performing at his best,” coach Vincent Kompany said of the rookie, who earned a training invitation from Real when he was ten.
The Bayern coach urged patience to “protect” the youngster from excessive attention but added, “There is more to come.”
Player agent and former German international Michael Ballack said his client “is surprising us all, adopting that fast and performing that well.” The former Leverkusen and Chelsea midfielder added that the plan is to progress steadily and climb step by step.
Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl praised Karl’s form, noting it had already attracted Nagelsmann’s attention. “He is performing and is in our starting eleven. One can hardly do more,” the official said.
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