Lothar Matthäus calls for Lennart Karl to be locked into Germany’s World Cup squad

Lothar Matthäus is in no doubt that FC Bayern prodigy Lennart Karl should be in Germany’s squad for the World Cup.

Having just turned 18, Lennart Karl has made his breakthrough into Bayern Munich’s first-team squad this season, featuring 31 times with seven goals and four assists so far.

With Jamal Musiala back from injury, Karl hasn’t played as much recently and has spent three of Bayern’s last four games in all competitions on the bench.

Still, Bayern and Germany legend Lothar Matthäus believes Karl has already done enough to earn his first national team call-up and a spot in the World Cup squad.

In a column for Sky Germany, the 64-year-old argues that Karl should be one of the “guaranteed” Bayern inclusions, alongside Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka.

“Karl brings that certain something, similar to [David] Odonkor in the 2006 World Cup. Odonkor relied more on his speed, while Karl has other versatile skills,” Matthäus wrote.

The former World Cup winner also believes Karl is slightly ahead of 1. FC Köln’s Said El Mala, 19, who has been mentioned as a fringe option for Julian Nagelsmann’s squad.

“Karl has already shown his level on the highest international stage and is a step ahead of El Mala,” Matthäus stated.

“The Köln player is also an outside candidate for Nagelsmann. Now that 1. FC Köln is in a relegation battle, [coach Lukas] Kwasniok might rethink things and give him more playing time.”