Following Bayern Munich’s annual tradition, the club’s players recently visited local fan clubs. Bayern prodigy Lennart Karl sparked controversy with his ill-timed remarks when asked by fans, stating he has a "dream of joining Real Madrid" and will move to the club one day. Media outlets interviewed four German former Real Madrid legends to get their take on the issue.
Günter Netzer: “The deciding factor isn’t age, but your previous performances at the club. A player must prove their value to Real Madrid with ability. Karl is an excellent footballer and clearly has a strong character. From what I’ve observed, he hasn’t been affected by the outside noise. I think his comments at the event were positive—he wasn’t talking about a quick transfer, just his dream. For a young player, targeting Real Madrid is completely reasonable.”
Bernd Schuster: “I think it’s fantastic that Lennart Karl can express this so clearly. You should chase your dreams—even as a footballer. It’s a good sign, showing he aspires to reach the top of the world.”
Uli Stielike: “I believe these comments are bad for the young man. He’ll struggle to make friends at Bayern Munich, both in the dressing room and with the fans. I think he should first establish himself as a regular starter over a longer period before aiming for the national team. He still has a long way to go.”
Bodo Illgner: “I transferred to Real Madrid from Köln when I was 29. For me, that was the ideal time—first in terms of my maturity and experience, and second regarding Real Madrid’s situation back then. That’s crucial for such a transfer. But age isn’t everything, as we saw with Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid at a young age. Circumstances matter more. It depends on many factors: whether the position fits, if you’re the type the team needs, and if you have the coach’s support—these are all key.”
