Lennart Karl has learned his lesson from the infamous Real Madrid incident

Munich—Bayern Munich prodigy Lennart Karl says the firestorm that followed his casual admission that he dreams of one day wearing the white of Real Madrid has taught him to measure every syllable in public.

The 17-year-old’s remarks, made during a relaxed fan-event interview, detonated across social media and obliged Bayern’s communications staff to mount a rapid-damage campaign. With the club now secured to Karl through a professional deal that runs until 2029, the teenager accepts that off-hand comments carry disproportionate weight once you pull on the red shirt.

Speaking to Kicker correspondents Frank Linkesch and Mario Krischel, Karl was asked whether the episode had forced him to “think three times before every public appearance and every question.”

“I’m generally someone who says what I think,” Karl replied. “But I have to be aware that in public, people watch how I express myself.” Pressed on whether such scrutiny is simply “the price of fame,” he answered, “That’s probably true, yes—although the word ‘fame’ is a bit of an exaggeration.”

Bayern insiders hope the very public lesson accelerates the academy graduate’s maturity. While supporters have largely moved on, the club’s hierarchy has made it clear that media training will be intensified so that Karl’s considerable on-field promise is not undercut by avoidable headlines.

For now, the midfielder remains unavailable for Der Klassiker and carries an impressive personal record against Borussia Dortmund, leaving fans optimistic that the only stories written about him going forward will be made with his feet, not his words.