There are less than 200 days left until the 2026 World Cup, no wonder that there is already a lot of speculation about who will ultimately jump on the bandwagon for the big tournament. If DFB record player Lothar Matthäus has his way, then a young shooting star from FC Bayern should definitely be part of the German national team at the big tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
This weekend, Lennart Karl made it into the team of the (match) day of the football magazine “kicker” for the first time. From now on, the 17-year-old offensive man from FC Bayern should also cause a sensation in the German national team, at least that’s what none other than record national player Lothar Matthäus has now clearly called for and praised the shooting star.
“He has every opportunity to become a great in German football. He has the right environment at FC Bayern, comes into a functioning team and has already achieved important points with his dribbling and his self-confidence – also in his interviews,” said Matthäus in the “Sky90” talk show on the pay-TV channel about the youngster, who scored one goal and prepared another in the 6-2 win over SC Freiburg at the weekend.
During the last international break, Karl had already been expected by some observers to be a possible nomination for national coach Julian Nagelsmann, but in the end the teenager “only” played for the German U21 national team – but he also impressed there. The Bayern attacker scored three goals in his two appearances for the DFB youth team.
Is Bayern’s Karl one for the DFB team?
If Matthäus has his way, then Karl should be able to show his strengths in the senior national team from now on.
Matthew: He does what he smells and feels
“We are always afraid of promoting young players and that is the problem in Germany. Let them go, let them! […] There are no arguments against it at all,” said the TV expert about Karl’s nomination for the DFB team and added: “There is never promotion too early and there is never a national team too early. If I can achieve something, I have to follow the path.”
Karl could play a key role at the World Cup; player types like him are in demand at the mega tournament. “These street footballers who not only allow themselves to be forced into a system, but also do what they smell and feel at the moment – and that is Lennart Karl,” who is “something special” and therefore “a great candidate” for the senior national team, said Matthäus.