17-Year-Old
©IMAGO
At just 17 years and 8 months, Lennart Karl made history as Bayern Munich’s youngest ever UCL goalscorer during a remarkable match against Club Brugge, securing a 4-0 victory in front of a packed crowd of 75,000 at the Allianz Arena. He surpassed the previous record held by Jamal Musiala, who scored at 17 years, 11 months, and 28 days in the 2020/21 season against Lazio. Just days after renewing his contract, coach Kompany reaffirmed his commitment to promoting young talent, and Karl responded with an impressive performance.
The match was just four minutes old when Karl picked up the ball in midfield, skillfully maneuvered through Brugge’s defense, and scored with a precise shot from outside the box. Almost adding a second goal in the 31st minute, Karl had a standout performance, finishing with an xG value of 4.72, three shots on target, and 47 ball touches, completing 86% of his 36 passes before being substituted in the 69th minute.
Karl’s remarkable performance is also reflected in his skyrocketing market value. The young playmaker, sporting the number 42 jersey, saw his worth increase from €1.5 million to €20 million—an astonishing rise of 1233.33%. “He is among the brightest talents at Bayern in recent years,” stated Transfermarkt market value coordinator Tobias Kröger during the Bundesliga market value update. “The 17-year-old has shown consistent performance, with exceptional technique and ball-handling skills making him an invaluable asset.”
Lennart Karl: Historic Goalscorer and UEFA Man of the Match
“The coach believed in him, and we both felt before the match that he would score his first goal today,” said Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund post-game. When it happened, the joy was palpable. Not only did Karl break the record for Bayern’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, but he was also honored as the Man of the Match by UEFA. “Hearing the Champions League anthem gave me chills,” Karl shared with UEFA after the match. “This is a dream come true for me. Winning the Player of the Match Award at such a young age means a great deal. My family has already sent me messages. It feels amazing.”
Karl’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His debut against Brugge marked his 11th appearance for Bayern this season, totaling 388 minutes of play with one goal to his name. “I want to keep getting playing time and I’m dedicated to earning it,” Karl mentioned. “When you put in the effort, good things will follow.” With his rapid development, there is also discussion about a potential call-up to the German national team for the World Cup. “I’m not thinking about that yet,” said Karl. “First, I aim to represent the U20s and U21s before considering the national team.”
Coach Vincent Kompany, who has given Karl ample playtime, is impressed with his progression. “Lennart has trained with us for seven to eight months and has adapted well to the team and his teammates,” Kompany remarked. “He’s always a threat in practice, which is a skill you can’t teach. Today, he capitalized on his opportunity. While I don’t expect him to carry the team just yet, his performance was solid. His ability to score is what makes him a standout talent at Bayern.” When asked about his potential, Kompany added, “It’s your job to help him reach great heights. I genuinely believe in developmental growth; young players don’t always shine. The key is consistency, and that takes time.”
