Lennart Karl’s senior career is less than a year old but the German wonderkid has already been dealt one of the harshest lessons imaginable.
“Unfortunately,” he wrote on social media after his World Cup withdrawal was confirmed, “injuries often happen at the worst possible time.”
Karl enjoyed a staggering breakthrough campaign with Bayern Munich, racking up nine goals and eight assists while being trusted to make 39 appearances for Vincent Kompany’s Bundesliga champions. However, that stellar season was soured by a muscle tear in April which derailed his involvement in the Champions League knockout stages and his World Cup has been concluded before it even got a chance to begin with another piece of injury heartache.
“I don’t even know where to begin, but it hurts so incredibly much to miss the biggest tournament,” Karl lamented. “I did everything I could to be fit for the World Cup.”
The 18-year-old was the youngest member of Julian Nagelsmann’s roster and was vying with Leroy Sané for a starting spot on the right wing. Karl got the nod in Germany’s breezy 4–0 friendly victory over Finland in a strong lineup.
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