Matthaus Draws on His Own Real Madrid Miss to Defend Lennart Karl

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has defended teen sensation Lennart Karl after he called Real Madrid his ‘dream club.’

Karl’s admission about Madrid has not gone down well with Bayern Munich fans. But Matthaus drew on his experience to justify Karl’s comments.

Lennart Karl Says He ‘Definitely’ Wants to Play for Real Madrid

Lennart Karl joined Bayern Munich’s youth system at the age of 12. Rising through the ranks, Karl made his first-team debut earlier this season and has since broken a plethora of records.

Not only has Karl become Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League, but he is also the youngest Bayern player to score and assist in a Bundesliga match.

The attacking midfielder is said to be the next big thing to emerge from Bayern. He is a player the club wants to hold on to for the foreseeable future.

However, during media duties after the winter break, he revealed the club he dreamt of playing for.

Lennart Karl: “Playing for Bayern is a dream.

But at some point, I definitely want to play for Real Madrid.” pic.twitter.com/TXS8LhD0Er

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 4, 2026

He said (via Fabrizio Romano):

“Bayern is a very big club, I love playing there… but I also have another dream, at some point I definitely want to go to Real Madrid.

“Bayern is a very, very big club. Real is my dream club, but that stays between us. Of course, Bayern is something very special; it’s a lot of fun at the club.”

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich share an iconic European rivalry. They have faced each other 28 times, making it the most-repeated clash in Champions League history.

Over the years, the Bundesliga giants have lost quite a few of their top talents to the 15-time European champions. In 2014, Toni Kroos left the Allianz Arena for a legendary stint at Real Madrid.

David Alaba joined Madrid as a free agent in 2021, and Alphonso Davies was also heavily linked with the Merengues before he committed his future to Bayern.

According to reports, Real Madrid want Dayot Upamecano and would pounce if Bayern cannot wrap up his extension.

Lothar Matthaus Defends Lennart Karl After Madrid Comments

The Bayern Munich fanbase are upset with Lennart Karl’s comments, but Lothar Matthaus believes it is not wrong to want to play for Real Madrid. He admitted that he also harboured the same desire.

When asked about Karl’s statement, Matthaus said (via SkySport Germany):

“It was fine. It shows that he’s ambitious and believes in himself.

“I also would’ve liked to play for Real Madrid, but Inter Milan didn’t want to let me go. I also had dreams.”

️ Lothar Matthäus on Lennart Karl’s statements about Real Madrid being his dream club:

“It was fine. It shows that he’s ambitious and believes in himself.”

“I also would’ve liked to play for Real Madrid, but Inter Milan didn’t want to let me go. I also had dreams.”

“I was… pic.twitter.com/vxu49m36eP

— The Touchline | (@TouchlineX) January 6, 2026

He concluded by adding:

“I was named World Player of the Year in 1990/91, and suddenly Real Madrid were knocking on my door.

“I would have loved to go, but I still had a contract. That’s why the transfer didn’t work out back then.”

If Karl maintains his excellent form, Real Madrid could soon come knocking. His current deal with Bayern runs until June 2028, and the Germans may have to offer him a lucrative new contract to fend off interest from the Spanish outfit.