Uli Hoeness says Real Madrid and Barcelona cannot guarantee Champions League victory

Uli Hoeness says no club, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona or Paris St-Germain, can claim it will win the Champions League this season.

The Bayern Munich honorary president also dismissed suggestions that he was offended by Lenart Karl’s goal celebration against Atletico Madrid, which was interpreted as a response to Hoeness’ recent criticism of the teenager.

Karl scored in Bayern’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. After finding the net, the young German placed his hands near his ears and moved his fingers, a gesture widely viewed as mocking those who had criticised him.

Asked about the celebration by Bavarian broadcaster BR24, Hoeness said: “This does not bother me. I think I was 50% involved in him scoring his goals in recent days, because someone made a comment about his private life.”

Hoeness said his intention had been to help Karl develop rather than unsettle him, arguing that experienced figures had a duty to guide young players.

“We also have a responsibility to guide young players,” he added. “I have a great deal of experience, and if an 18-year-old cannot learn something from me, then we might as well give up.”

The Bayern legend said club officials sometimes needed to bring emerging players back down to earth when they were exposed to intense attention.

“Those responsible within clubs have to bring young players back to reality a little,” he said. “I do not need to intervene with a player like Harry Kane, but when it concerns an 18-year-old who does not have the experience to deal with these external influences, those responsible – and I consider myself one of them – sometimes have to speak.”

Hoeness had previously called on Karl to show greater humility, saying the youngster was still a long way from being an established major star. He had also expressed a desire to have a serious conversation with him about his development and his handling of media attention.

His public criticism caused debate at Bayern Munich, particularly after former Germany and Bayern player Michael Ballack, who advises Karl, defended the teenager. Ballack argued that criticising the player publicly risked making him a target for further media pressure.

Hoeness assesses Bayern’s European prospects

Hoeness said the Champions League remained open, with no side able to guarantee success.

“No club can say it will win the Champions League – not Real Madrid, not Manchester City, not Barcelona and not Paris St-Germain,” he said. “I think the important thing for us is that Bayern Munich have established themselves among the elite clubs in Europe.”

He added: “We do not only have the best players individually; we also have a complete team, and our recent performances have proved that.”