FC Bayern’s teenage sensation Lennart Karl continues to dazzle fans and experts alike. After his breakout performances against Club Brugge and Borussia Mönchengladbach, the 17-year-old’s unique playing style has sparked comparisons to none other than Lionel Messi.
“The Messi Advantage”
Standing at just 1.68 meters, Karl is Bayern’s shortest player — yet this trait is proving to be one of his biggest strengths. According to sports scientist Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse of the Cologne Sports University, Karl’s smaller frame gives him a distinct advantage in agility, balance, and control.
“A smaller body is better, especially on the wing,” says Froböse. “Players like Karl are more agile, take faster steps, and can move through the smallest gaps — much like Messi. The low center of gravity allows quicker acceleration and braking.” — Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse
In Bayern’s 4–0 Champions League victory over Brugge, Karl demonstrated the full extent of this advantage. Before scoring his stunning opener, he slipped past five defenders with mesmerizing footwork — a sequence that evoked memories of Messi’s signature dribbles.
Froböse notes that this kind of control comes not only from physique but also from mindset: smaller players develop mental resilience by constantly competing against taller opponents, strengthening their ability to adapt under pressure.
- Height: 1.68m (Karl), 1.70m (Messi)
- Shared strengths: agility, balance, acceleration
- Added edge: mental resilience and creative unpredictability
Mental toughness through physical challenges
“Small players have spent their whole lives asserting themselves against bigger opponents,” says Froböse. “That builds toughness and resilience. They develop a huge variety of movements and are unpredictable in how they attack.”
Karl’s creativity and composure on the ball exemplify that mental edge. While taller defenders rely on power, Karl uses timing, technique, and quick bursts to stay one step ahead.
Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern’s dynamic passing system allows Karl to thrive in tight spaces — areas where his size and agility shine most. Rarely forced into aerial duels, he’s able to exploit defenders with close control and speed, embodying what fans are already calling “the Messi advantage.”
At just 17, Karl’s combination of technical precision and fearless dribbling marks him as one of Europe’s brightest young stars — and a symbol of Bayern’s renewed belief in homegrown talent.
Keywords: Lennart Karl, FC Bayern, Lionel Messi, Ingo Froböse, Bundesliga, Kompany, Bayern Campus, dribbling, youth talent