Jamal Musiala’s Journey Through Neurological Illness at Bayern Munich
Jamal Musiala’s battle away from the spotlight has drawn rare, unqualified praise from one of Bayern Munich’s fiercest long‑time critics.
Lothar Matthäus, never shy of taking the club to task, called the handling of Musiala’s neurological illness “the very biggest thing I have experienced at Bayern Munich” during Sky90, highlighting a level of unity and discretion that has largely stayed hidden from public view.
A hidden struggle, twice in public
Alarm bells rang in pre-season when the Germany international collapsed on the pitch in two friendlies, first against RB Leipzig and then 1. FC Heidenheim, and had to be substituted both times. The images suggested a fitness issue. The reality was more complex.
Musiala later revealed he had been suffering from “absences”, a neurological dysfunction. The episodes, Bayern explained, were linked to a change in medication rather than a new, acute condition. He has not played for the club since.
Only then did it emerge that Bayern had known about the illness for a considerable period. The club stated they had been aware of the problem for some time and had been managing it internally.
“The whole team knew – and nothing came out”
For Matthäus, that silence spoke louder than any statement.
“People at the club have known for six, seven, eight months,” he said. “But it is not only the president and the doctor who know. The whole team know. And nothing has come out. That shows the togetherness. Not only on the pitch, but off it as well.”
In an era when dressing-room whispers routinely leak within hours, Bayern’s ability to protect Musiala’s privacy impressed the 1990 World Cup winner as much as any tactical masterclass or title run.
He underlined that point again, calling the club’s approach exemplary: “Huge respect for dealing with such a topic so properly and in such a united way. All I can say is: chapeau to Bayern Munich.”
Kompany’s decision looms
Musiala is now back in training with Bayern. The sight of him with the ball at his feet again offers a different kind of hope to supporters used to measuring his impact in goals and assists rather than medical bulletins.
Whether Vincent Kompany is ready to take the next step with him is another matter. It remains unclear if the Bayern coach will include the 21-year-old in the squad for Wednesday’s cup tie away to VfL Osnabrück. The decision will balance medical caution with the player’s hunger to return after a stop-start year.
From fractured season to uncertain restart
The neurological issue comes on the back of a physically disrupted campaign. Last season, Musiala missed long stretches with a fibula fracture. He only returned in January and needed time to regain rhythm and sharpness.
Even so, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann kept faith. Musiala was named in the squad for the World Cup this summer, a nod to his talent and potential influence. Like many of his national team-mates, though, he struggled to leave a lasting mark on the tournament.
Now, as he edges back towards competitive action, the story is no longer just about form or end product. It is about how a club, a dressing room and a gifted young player navigate a delicate, deeply personal challenge – and what kind of Jamal Musiala Bayern will get when he finally steps back into the arena.
