Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala recently collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Heidenheim, marking the second such incident in four days. The 23-year-old had entered the match as a second-half substitute but lasted only eight minutes before falling to the ground. This occurrence mirrored a similar event during a friendly match against RB Leipzig just days prior.
Following these incidents, Musiala disclosed that he is experiencing “easily treatable absence seizures” which stem from a “neurological dysfunction.” Despite the alarming appearance of these episodes, the Germany international has stated there is no long-term health risk associated with his condition.
Musiala’s Health Update and Team Support
Musiala shared an update on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support he has received. He clarified that he has been diagnosed with brief, temporary, but treatable absence seizures. These can lead to incidents like those observed in the recent matches against Leipzig and Heidenheim.
He noted that while these incidents might appear concerning, they are currently a part of his daily life. Musiala confirmed he is receiving excellent medical care and remains optimistic about his situation. Both FC Bayern and his personal support network are assisting him through this period.
Harry Kane, a teammate and England captain, acknowledged Musiala’s difficult moment. Kane emphasised the team’s full support for Musiala, highlighting that he is navigating a situation not commonly experienced by everyone, but one that others have managed successfully.
Kane further stated that Musiala is a talented and integral part of the team. He expressed empathy for Musiala’s recent challenges on the pitch and reiterated the collective support from Bayern, as well as from Musiala’s friends and family. Kane also mentioned Musiala’s dedication to training, especially after a challenging injury last season.
Club’s Awareness and Medical Clearance
Bayern officials have confirmed their prior knowledge of Musiala’s condition, noting that signs of it existed before the World Cup, though it had not impacted his play until recently. Honorary president Uli Hoeness revealed that the club had been aware of the issues for some time. The incident against RB Leipzig was the first time the condition manifested visibly during a match.
Hoeness admitted his surprise when the incident recurred four days later, despite Musiala being on medication. He addressed concerns from supporters regarding the decision to play Musiala so soon after the initial collapse. Bayern officials quickly assured the public that medical experts had cleared the German international to play on Tuesday.
Hoeness confirmed that precautions had been taken. He stated that neurologists and specialists provided written confirmation that there were no concerns about Musiala participating in high-performance sport. This assurance was crucial for the club, allowing them to proceed with confidence.
Dr. Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist, explained that absence seizures are a type of generalised seizure, often affecting children and young adults. Typical absence seizures are usually brief, lasting seconds, during which a person might appear to be daydreaming or unresponsive. Atypical absences can last longer and involve automatic movements.
Dr. Sidhu noted that repeated episodes over more than 24 hours could indicate epilepsy, but these seizures are treatable with medication. She stressed the importance of identifying triggers for those affected by epilepsy, especially athletes, where triggers might include hyperventilation and dehydration. When effectively treated, absence seizures should not prevent individuals from participating in sports.
Musiala’s Challenging Period and Future Outlook
Musiala’s recent diagnosis adds to a series of setbacks in his career. His 2024-25 campaign was cut short by an injury in early April, followed by a serious traffic accident shortly after. He returned to play in the Fifa Club World Cup but then sustained a broken leg and dislocated ankle during the quarter-final against Paris St-Germain, which sidelined him for 196 days.
He subsequently played with a metal plate in his foot from January until the end of the summer’s World Cup in North America, where he made four appearances for Germany. The plate was removed in July, which limited his pre-season training. German football expert Constantin Eckner commented that Musiala had not been a significant factor in the past 18 months due to these issues.
Eckner highlighted that Musiala’s recovery from the broken leg and dislocated ankle took months. The recent surgery to remove the metal plate further impacted his ability to participate in team training, making the start of the upcoming season challenging. The expert also suggested that Bayern’s acquisition of Ismael Saibari for £43m was partly a measure to mitigate potential fitness issues with Musiala.
Despite being a top earner alongside Harry Kane, Musiala’s contributions have not matched Kane’s, according to Eckner. However, he noted that Musiala is still young, and circumstances can change. There is a release clause in his contract that could be activated next summer, with a fee in the nine digits, though Eckner considers it unlikely any club would pay that amount currently. Musiala remains optimistic, stating his personal wish to continue playing football with medical clearance from neurologists.
Source: bbc.com
