Uli Hoeness reminds Lennart Karl that he is not yet a superstar

Uli Hoeness, honorary president of Bayern Munich, publicly reminded Lennart Karl that he is far from being a superstar, after the left thigh injury of the 18‑year‑old winger kept him out of the 2026 World Cup.

The injury occurred during training, a week before the start of the 2026 World Cup, forcing the prodigy to withdraw from Germany. This season, he has logged only 267 minutes of play in nine matches, scoring a single goal.

Uli Hoeness told the « Welt am Sonntag » that « He is far from being a superstar; young players need humility ». He added that « Young players also need pressure. I don’t know if it’s good for Lennart Karl to be constantly over‑protected ».

A meteoric rise put to the test

Last year, Bayern Munich saw Lennart Karl score nine goals and provide eight assists, a breakout of the previous season. At 17 years and 242 days, he became the youngest scorer in the club’s Champions League history, opening the scoring in the fifth minute against Club Brugge (4‑0). His first start earned him the man‑of‑the‑match award and comparisons with Lionel Messi and his teammate Michael Olise.

Uli Hoeness retorted that comparisons with Olise « obviously do not do him any favors », highlighting a « world of difference » between the two. He reminded that pressure and humility are essential for a young talent to consolidate his level.

The club fears excessive off‑field exposure

The newspaper reports that Bayern is worried about the young player focusing more on social media than on the pitch. The executives accuse Lennart Karl of overexposing himself, notably because of his influencer girlfriend.

Uli Hoeness said he intends to have a serious conversation with the prodigy to help him regain his level. At this stage, the future of the young winger will depend on his ability to overcome the injury and meet the club’s demands.