In Munich, where Bayern’s academy prospects are measured against an unforgiving standard, Lennart Karl is taking his lessons from one of the first team’s most gifted attackers. The 18-year-old midfielder has described Michael Olise as a major influence on his development, even as the Frenchman represents formidable competition for minutes.
Karl, regarded as one of Bayern Munich’s leading young hopes and a promising figure for German football, said he studies Olise closely during training. “He is someone very special to me,” Karl said. “I learn a great deal from him in training. I am always watching what he does.”
Learning from Olise in Munich
Olise has quickly become a reference point for Karl, whose confidence in his own strengths has not stopped him admiring the more established player’s range. Karl believes there are aspects of his game that Olise cannot match, but said the Bayern attacker possesses an exceptional all-round level.
“Of course I have my strengths, things that he does not do as well as I do,” Karl said. “But he can do everything. Most of his qualities are really outstanding — the way he moves and things like that. He is top class.”
Messi remains Karl’s ultimate model
While Olise is the player Karl observes day to day at Bayern’s Säbener Straße training base, Lionel Messi remains his biggest footballing inspiration.
Karl said he regularly watches videos of the Argentine great and would like to reproduce the qualities that defined Messi’s career. “I would love to do what he used to do,” he said. “He is simply an exceptional player. I watch many videos of him.”
The teenager identified Messi’s dribbling ability as the attribute he most wants to add to his own game, with a light-hearted acknowledgement that he already shares the former Barcelona star’s stature.
“He is my greatest role model in football,” Karl said. “Without doubt, I want to have his ability to dribble, and I would say I already have the height.”
