Deniz Undav likens Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl to Franck Ribéry

STUTTGART, GERMANY - MARCH 30: Lennart Karl of Germany runs with the ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images Lennart Karl was given his first callup to the senior Germany squad by Julan Nagelsmann for the pair of friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, and the Bayern Munich starlet was able to make second half appearances in both matches. It’s not clear whether or not he will be in the final roster for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but he’s made a strong case for himself with his brief appearances for Germany and just how good he’s been for Bayern Munich so far this season.

He clocked a total of 72 minutes with his appearances vs Switzerland in Basel and Ghana in Stuttgart and was lively in both despite not getting himself on the scoresheet. VfB Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav has been the subject of intense debate in terms of whether or not he should be in the Germany squad, too, especially with the direct challenge of Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade. Stuttgart fans have been clamoring for him to get more minutes for Germany, but he was only given 45 minutes, having played the second half and scoring the winner in the 2-1 win over Ghana.

Despite helping see Die Mannschaft over the line against the Black Stars, it’s still been reported that Undav is a player fighting for his spot in the World Cup squad, but the Stuttgart striker still spoke about what it was like to play alongside Lennart Karl and what he sees in the youngster. Karl has already drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, but Undav likened the winger to a former French Bayern legend in his own assessment. “He’s a bit like [Franck] Ribéry.

He’s a brutal player. He already has such a cool head at his age, is brave on the pitch, and brings great energy. He’s humble enough and a nice guy.