Michael Ballack criticised Uli Hoeneß and Max Eberl over their public comments about Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl. GOAL reported that Ballack defended the 18-year-old on DAZN as the discussion around criticism of him and his social media presence continued.
Ballack's defence of Karl
Ballack said: "Lennart is only 18. Where were you at 18? Just as he is finding his feet on the pitch, he is doing the same off it."
Ballack said: "Social media is a major factor today, not just for the younger generation. Everyone is entitled to present themselves as they wish. Of course, you won't get everything right along the way. Unfortunately, people are bound to judge."
GOAL reported that Ballack said Karl's development over the past year had been "outstandingly good".
GOAL reported that Ballack said establishing himself at Bayern Munich at just 17 spoke not only to exceptional footballing ability, but above all to character.
Hoeneß comments on the youngster
GOAL reported that Hoeneß had announced in an interview with Welt am Sonntag that he would have a serious conversation with Karl.
Hoeneß said Karl was "still a long way from being a superstar".
Hoeneß said: "Young players need humility and pressure. Comparisons with Olise are clearly not doing him any good; they are still worlds apart. I don't know, for example, whether it does Lennart Karl any good if people always just put an arm around him."
GOAL reported that at the beginning of May, Hoeneß took issue with Karl's pink outfit while Karl watched the 4-3 win against Real Madrid from the stands.
Hoeneß said: "You don't have to appear on the internet in a pink suit."
Hoeneß said: "Franz and I intervened then, too."
View inside the club
According to Bild, other Bayern Munich officials also view Karl's social media presence with scepticism.
According to Bild, Karl's glamour lifestyle and his private life with his influencer girlfriend Zoe Käppele are said to displease the bosses in particular.
According to Bild, the message within the club was less Instagram, more focus on football.
Form and Ballack's criticism
Ballack said: "It is legitimate for Uli Hoeneß to criticise the way he presents himself to the outside world. But it is also clear that, by doing so, he is publicly making Lennart a target."
Ballack said: "Lenny has to show on the pitch that he can get out of this slump again."
Ballack said: "For Max Eberl to now say Lennart is in a sporting slump, embellished with missteps, after his performances have clearly begun to improve again, makes no sense in terms of timing and is, at the very least, questionable in substance."
After 11 appearances, Karl has one goal and two assists so far.
GOAL reported that Ballack represents Karl through his agency, Lucky 13.
Ballack said: "Lennart Karl has character. It is to be expected that this will probably cause him to rub people up the wrong way once or twice more in his career."
Ballack said: "I hope Lennart does not let himself be completely moulded by others before he even turns 20. He has my full support in that!"
