Berlin, Dec 10 (NationPress) The rising star of Bayern Munich, Lennart Karl, received a thunderous round of applause in the 76th minute during Tuesday’s match, following his goal in a 3-1 UEFA Champions League triumph over Sporting. This achievement makes him the youngest player to score in three consecutive games, fueling discussions for a potential call-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 17-year-old netted Bayern's second goal in the 69th minute, and at just 17 years and 290 days, he surpassed Kylian Mbappe’s record of scoring three times at 18 years and 113 days, ultimately earning the Man of the Match accolade.

Back in his hometown of Frammersbach, a small town of 5,000 located approximately 80 kilometers east of Frankfurt, the excitement is palpable. On the field, the young talent showcased a new goal celebration that seemed to call for a decrease in media frenzy, according to reports from Xinhua.

His remarkable performances have caught the eye of Germany’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann, and he is frequently discussed in football circles. Bayern Munich has also prepared a professional contract for him, valid until 2029, which will commence on February 22, 2006, coinciding with his 18th birthday. Meanwhile, his family is navigating the growing public interest.

His mother, Caro, often returns from shopping trips with numerous autograph requests, while his father, Steffen, is busy handling interview requests. Reports suggest the family is contemplating a move to Munich, even though his 14-year-old brother, Vincent, has joined the youth setup at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite the mounting excitement, Karl returned to his room at Bayern's campus on Tuesday evening, where he will reside until he turns 18, after which he plans to move into his own apartment.

“I am proud of the team and me; we performed well,” he commented, acknowledging his previous quietness during training sessions.

“I rarely spoke a word among these stars and world-class players,” he admitted, revealing his aspirations for the 2026 World Cup following a challenging year in 2023/24, where he grappled with balancing sports and academics.

His commitment to extra training and enhanced study habits has paved the way for his breakthrough since joining Bayern in 2022.

“He consistently creates opportunities, even when he’s not at his best,” said coach Vincent Kompany, who remembered Karl earning a training invite from Real Madrid at just ten years old.

The Bayern coach urged caution to “protect” the young talent from overwhelming attention, adding, “There is much more to come.”

Player agent and former German international Michael Ballack expressed his surprise at Karl's rapid development and performance, stating the strategy is to advance steadily and carefully.

Bayern’s sports board member Max Eberl commended Karl’s progress, noting it has already led to contact from Nagelsmann. “He is performing well and is in our starting eleven. It’s hard to achieve more,” the official concluded.