Lennart Karl answers critics with a goal at the Metropolitano

Lennart Karl made his mark at the Metropolitano and quieted some of his critics amid « a lot of noise… » around him. The Bayern player helped his side to victory over Atlético de Madrid by opening the scoring. After getting the better of Le Normand, he beat Oblak. It was his fifth Champions League goal.

The performance came after controversy over his remarks about Real Madrid. In January, at a Bayern supporters’ gathering that was meant to be private but later became public, Karl said he wanted to join the Madrid club one day, describing it as his dream team. He was not yet 18. His words angered supporters who had welcomed him as a young prospect from the club.

Karl has since apologised for the comments. FC Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said he apologised the following day and explained that he had not meant them that way. Freund added that Karl feels comfortable at Bayern and is enjoying this period.

Lothar Matthäus had defended him, arguing that having ambition at 17 did not amount to arrogance. He also noted that Karl had not said he wanted to join Real Madrid in the next two years: in Matthäus’s view, the young player would first have to achieve something extraordinary at Bayern. Uli Hoeness, by contrast, said he intended to speak seriously with Karl and stressed that young players needed humility.

The Real Madrid connection goes beyond that comment. Journalist Sebastian Leisgang said Karl had attended a trial at the club when he was 10, then received an invitation to Madrid after progressing through several selection stages. Leisgang also said the deal did not work out and that Karl’s father was pleased with how things had ended.

Karl’s response at the Metropolitano came amid that run of criticism and public comment. After scoring, he put his hands to his ears in a gesture meaning: « Keep talking. » Aaron Danks, on the touchline in Kompany’s absence, praised the youngster’s character and mental strength, as well as his finish.

Another episode has added to the discussion: a photograph of Karl wearing a non-official Real Madrid kit and posing on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch is circulating on social media. According to people close to the player, he also had a trial for the club during a visit to Spain. During the previous Champions League campaign, Karl visited the Bernabéu as Bayern eliminated Madrid, but did not get to step onto the pitch.