Ballack backs Karl for Germany World Cup call-up: "Lennart is a special player"

Lennart Karl has been a revelation this season, breaking into the first team of FC Bayern Munich.

With his performances, the 18-year-old has played himself into the sights of Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who may call him up to his squad for the World Cup.

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack, who now serves as Karl’s agent, believes his client has earned that opportunity, arguing that the youngster’s performances speak for themselves.

“Of course I’m biased because I’ve been advising him for some time now. And you naturally become a fan of a player when you work with someone every day. I’m 100 percent convinced of him,” Ballack said while speaking on the Sky program “Meine Geschichte.” 

“He’s made an incredible development over the last six months, adapted incredibly quickly, and made a name for himself at the very highest level – through top performances.”

Despite his young age, Karl has already received significant playing time at Bayern this season, featuring 31 times for the German champions with seven goals and four assists to his name.

Ballack believes that playing such a role for Bayern naturally puts the young attacker in the national team conversation.

“I think if you play that kind of role at Bayern Munich, you’re automatically a candidate. I don’t need to hide that. Whether he's already a topic for the national team coach is something he (Nagelsmann) has to decide.

“I think Lennart is a special player who brings something to the pitch that not many players have. That’s why the national team coach will carefully weigh whether he should already play a role now. Personally, because of his performances, I think he should,” Ballack said.