Teenage Bayern Star's Blunder Sparks Laughter and Debate Across Bundesliga
9 February 2026
Matthäus defends Karl; Messi is mentioned.
In Bayern's clash with Hoffenheim, the young Linart Karl faced an embarrassing moment as he tried dribbles, but the ball drifted out of play that day.
Despite criticism surrounding him, Karl, 17, remains unfazed. He failed to complete the double feint in the second half of the 5-1 win, accidentally sending the ball out with his heel.
The video spread rapidly on social media, sparking witty comments, especially given his recent dip in scoring, with just one assist in six Bayern appearances.
Nevertheless, Karl told Sport1 that he isn't worried: I just have to keep giving my best. One can't always produce perfect performances. If I keep training hard in training and matches, I'll return to my usual level. I'm 17 years old and I'll keep trying.
The legend Lothar Matthäus commented that the criticisms of Karl are exaggerated and fail to reflect modern football's dribbling nature.
Matthäus said Karl is only 17 and loves football, adding that sometimes he makes opponents look bad thanks to his individual skills, which is part of every young player's development.
Some moves may seem over the top, but fans always want to see players who imitate world stars and add excitement to matches.
He ended his remarks by comparing Karl to the Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, noting that the latter wasn't perfect at 17 either, urging fans to let the young player enjoy the game and entertain the fans, even if opponents sometimes feel provoked by his actions for real.
Punchline 1: If youth is a phase, Karl's pressure is trending.
Punchline 2: He might be 17, but his highlights feel older than his bedtime.
