Bayern Munich great Mario Basler isn’t a fan of ‘gotcha’ journalism.
The two-time Bundesliga winner was faced with comments he made about teen sensation Lennart Karl, saying it was ridiculous he could be considered for the World Cup in 2026.
Since then the German prodigy has gone from strength to strength, and Basler was provoked into comment on Sport1 when he got a little agitated.
“So, he’s certainly a big talent — but we’ve heard that many times at FC Bayern,” he said.
“Over the years, Bayern has had lots of talents. He has an ability that could allow him to break through at Bayern.
“But — and this is what Uli Hoeness said last week, which I already said three months ago — Just give the boy time, don’t push him into a corner.”
The statement was met with some applause before Basler added: “He has to go to the World Cup next year! – No, he doesn’t. Let this boy develop first.”
He then turned his focus to Cologne teen star Said El Mala who was called up to Germany’s most recent squad.
“In Cologne there’s a striker who’s played nine Bundesliga matches, none of them over nineteen minutes. Suddenly he’s supposed to go to the World Cup,” he continued.
“What’s going on with us? Have we Germans become so stupid that if someone has touched the ball twice, he immediately has to join the national team and go to a World Cup? I don’t get it. I don’t get it.”
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