Bad news for Julian Nagelsmann: Lennart Karl is out for the World Cup due to an injury, giving the national coach a bigger problem than it initially appears.
After his promotion at FC Bayern, Lennart Karl was also expected to play a key role for the national team at the World Cup. But the torn muscle bundle shortly before the start of the tournament thwarted the plans. This is not only bitter for Karl, whose World Cup dream has shattered, but especially for Julian Nagelsmann. The national coach had probably just decided on the Bayern talent on the right side – now he has to replan.
Not an easy task for Nagelsmann, because Lennart Karl is the whiz kid in German football. In June 2025, its market value was still 1.5 million euros. A year later, the experts at transfermarkt.de value the Munich player at 60 million euros. A 40-fold increase. An appreciation that Karl earned in just twelve months.
At FC Bayern, the talent became a permanent candidate for the starting eleven within a year – with such well-known competition as Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Luis Diaz. A look at the numbers confirms this: Karl scored nine goals and eight assists in 39 games in his debut season in professional football.
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The 18-year-old offensive player also impressed in the national team. For many talents, a big tournament comes too early. For Karl, the timing seemed ideal. He had become the focus and was about to take the step from promise to top performer.
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Now Nagelsmann is missing a crucial factor for the World Cup
With Karl, the national coach is losing a very special player. With his combination of technique, outstanding finishing and a lot of carefreeness, Karl could have been an X-factor in Nagelsmann’s system. A fresh player whose mistakes are easier to forgive.