Jamal Musiala has not played for Bayern Munich since 18 September because of a muscle tear, and his return has been delayed because he is not yet in peak physical shape. The 23-year-old has also been left out of Jürgen Klopp’s latest Germany squad for the Nations League fixtures. More serious than the injury, though, is a neurological disorder that has caused concern at the Bavarian club.
Fainting spells during pre-season
During two pre-season friendlies in the second half of August, Musiala collapsed on the pitch and had to be substituted. In the first, he lost consciousness six minutes after coming on from the bench. Four days later, he passed out again in a friendly against Leipzig. At the time, Bild reported that the episode was caused by heatstroke.
In the days that followed, both Musiala and head coach Vincent Kompany said the player was suffering from a neurological disorder for which he was receiving treatment and medication. Musiala himself described the episodes as absence seizures caused by that disorder. Sporting director Max Eberl gave more detail, saying the club had known about the condition since last season and that it was also known within the squad. He added that a change in medication was the reason the episodes had come to light.
A difficult season
The condition is not expected to end Musiala’s professional career. The attacking midfielder was part of Germany’s squad at the most recent World Cup and has 46 international appearances with 10 goals. His career, however, has been heavily shaped by injuries. This season, with not yet half of the campaign completed, he has spent 73 days out of action and has missed 12 matches. In Bundesliga and Champions League games combined, he has played only four, scoring twice and providing one assist.
Injury problems have followed him for longer. During the 2025 Club World Cup, Gianluigi Donnarumma, then at Paris Saint-Germain, broke his left fibula and caused an ankle dislocation and ligament damage. Musiala did not return to action until early this year.
Hoeness’s comments stir debate
The situation returned to the headlines after recent remarks from Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s honorary president. The 74-year-old cast doubt on Musiala’s future level of performance, saying the club faced a dilemma. He noted that the illness cannot simply be cured but can be controlled to some extent with medication, and that it remains uncertain whether the player will ever return to his previous form.
According to sources inside Bayern, Hoeness’s words also carry a financial angle. Musiala’s contract, which was extended until 2030 and is among the highest at the club, is not insured against the neurological condition. Hoeness suggested the player would keep being paid, but questioned what would happen if the club were to argue that he no longer delivers what was agreed when the contract was signed.
Bayern’s medical department did not share those views, believing Musiala can regain his best level. Kompany also remains optimistic, and the player has not suffered another episode since the two pre-season collapses.
Former Bayern defender Lothar Matthäus, who made 410 appearances for the club, offered a different reading. He suggested Hoeness was deliberately provoking Musiala to trigger a reaction, pushing him to face adversity rather than simply protecting him, and said that in Musiala’s position he would take it as motivation to prove his return to Hoeness.
Bayern eye a successor
With uncertainty surrounding Musiala’s recovery, Bayern are reportedly considering a move for Wael Mohya in the next transfer window. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach and is valued at 17 million euros by Transfermarkt. He has just received his first call-up from Klopp to join the Germany squad.
Source: www.lanacion.com.ar
