Uli Hoeness has words of wisdom for Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl

Former Bayern Munich President and current board member Uli Hoeness recently offered his opinion on endless topics including the baller of the moment, 17-year-old Lennart Karl. Karl was the one bright spot in Bayern’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal in North London, equalizing in the first half with a brilliant goal. He can dribble like Lionel Messi but Hoeness wants to put a pause in all the praise, not without offering some praise himself first.

Per @iMiaSanMia, this is what he had to say about the Bayern academy youth product: “Lennart has been sensational. Nobody wants to hold the youngsters back. They should score as many goals as possible.” However, when asked if Karl should go to the World Cup with Germany, Hoeness advised caution: “You mustn’t forget that he’s only played three or four Bundesliga games.”

He also spoke about his own experiences a youngster: “I can still remember when I was 20 and had a good season, Helmut Schön [then West Germany coach] took me aside and said: ‘Mr. Hoeneß, if you keep playing like this, I’ll call you up for the next camp.’ — that was after one year.”

Going back to Karl, he added: “And now, when he plays three Bundesliga games, he’s already being compared to Messi. So that’s a bit of an exaggeration.” Hoeness is an expert it seems at keeping youngsters’ feet firmly on the ground.