MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich's latest young sensation is already thinking about a future elsewhere.
Lennart Karl, the 17-year-old midfielder who became Bayern's youngest ever Champions League scorer in October, sparked laughter, criticism and confusion on Sunday by admitting his dream was to move to Real Madrid.
During a question-and-answer session at Sunday's small-town fans' meeting, a visit that is a New Year's tradition for the club's players, Karl was asked if he had a “dream club” other than Bayern.
“Bayern is a very, very big club anyway and it's a dream to play there, but one day I would definitely like to go to Real Madrid. It's my dream club, but that remains between us,” Karl said to laughter from Bayern fans in comments broadcast by Sky Sport in Germany.
“But obviously Bayern is something very special and the club is very, very fun.”
While fans in the crowd seemed to take Karl's comments with humor, the young midfielder faced criticism from online Bayern fans questioning his loyalty to the club.
Karl came through Bayern's youth academy and made his first-team debut in the 10-0 defeat of Auckland City at the Club World Cup in June and has become a regular in the team this season, scoring six goals in 22 games.
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