Lennart Karl stars at Bayern Munich as Vincent Kompany cools Messi comparison talk

Karl has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign in both the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. The winger scored and provided an assist in Bayern's 6-2 win over Freiburg at the weekend, continuing a run that has already made him one of the most talked-about young players in Europe.

He has also impressed for Germany's Under-21s, scoring twice on his debut against Malta before adding another goal in a win over Georgia. His signature move, a curling left-footed strike from the right, has already reminded supporters of Arjen Robben, while others have compared his close control and dribbling style to Franck Ribéry.

After his latest international performance, some observers even suggested that Karl could follow the path of Lionel Messi, a comparison Kompany moved quickly to temper.

"We have to stay objective, that's my role," Kompany said. "No matter how many goals they score, whatever they do, whether it's a good game or a bad one, we have to be objective.

"When you are at Bayern Munich, you have to be special even at this age. They always want to achieve more, that's the most important thing.

"No matter how great a talent is, you cannot buy experience. You have to build it. That is what we want to support. We want to help the boys get the most out of their potential."

Kompany, now 39, has been praised for the way he has managed Karl's development, giving him regular minutes without burdening him with too much responsibility. Bayern's staff believe the balance he has struck is helping the teenager grow with confidence while keeping expectations under control.

Karl's rapid rise has already made him one of Europe's most exciting prospects, but Kompany's measured approach underlines Bayern's belief that the youngster must be developed patiently, even as his performances continue to set new standards for a player of his age.

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