“I still have to pay now”
Bayern talent Karl rejects tradition
November 15, 2025 – 11:21 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Lennart Karl has a fantastic debut with the German U21s. After the final whistle, however, things get uncomfortable – and the young star suddenly finds himself in debt.
Double packer Lennart Karl broke with a tradition in the German U21 national team after the 6-0 win in the European Championship qualifier against Malta. FC Bayern’s young star should have sung a song for the team after his debut in the dressing room – but things turned out differently.
Teammate and captain Tom Bischof explained: “Lennart still has to pay now – for sure. Because he didn’t want to sing.” The reason: “He’s too scared for that,” Bishop continued. There is no sign of fear on the pitch. Karl advances in his career at a rapid pace, leaving even his opponents standing. Now the 17-year-old has to make amends. “But he doesn’t have to buy us beer, we don’t need that. But we’ll take sweets,” Bishop made it clear.
The Bayern professional scored three times himself and secured the match ball as a trophy after the duel on Friday. Away from the broken tradition, Bishop also commented on Karl’s sporting performance: “He goes out on the pitch and plays his game. You need cheeky boys like that.” His teammate “did really well, even at Bayern. When he has the ball, you just know that something good is coming.”
With his debut goals, Karl has become the third-youngest goalscorer in the German U21s. Youssoufa Moukoko and Robert Trenner were even younger when they scored their first goals. On Tuesday, Germany continues its European Championship qualification in Georgia. Saïd El Mala, who was previously called up to the A squad for the first time by national coach Julian Nagelsmann and was on the bench against Luxembourg (2-0), will be there again.