German NT coach Julian Nagelsmann talks national team debutant Lennart Karl

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has hailed the fearless approach of 18-year-old Lennart Karl after awarding the Bayern Munich teenager a maiden senior call-up that vaults him past several youth levels and straight into the senior squad.

Speaking via the @iMiaSanMia social channel, Nagelsmann outlined his expectations for the youngster, who has caught the eye since breaking into the Bavarian club’s first-team picture earlier this campaign.

“I expect him to bring his youthful exuberance to the pitch,” the national-team boss said. “He likes to play centrally, but we also plan to use him on the right. However, I won’t put any pressure on him to perform miracles. He should bring exactly what a young player embodies and play football freely and from the heart, as he’s been doing at FC Bayern.”

Karl’s rapid ascent means he will join the senior setup barely a month after turning 18, underscoring both his early-season form and the coaching staff’s willingness to fast-track emerging talent. Aside from a brief off-field distraction involving Austria international Alexander Prass, whose ill-advised comment and accompanying thumbs-up gesture drew criticism, the teenager’s trajectory remains steeply upward.

For Nagelsmann, the message is clear: Karl’s invitation is a reward for fearless, creative play, and the youngster will be encouraged to express himself without the burden of unrealistic expectations.