Bayern's Musiala reveals neurological dysfunction after on-field collapses

Bayern Munich's attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala has disclosed he is dealing with a neurological dysfunction that causes him to experience brief, temporary episodes of absence. The 23-year-old German international's condition came to light after he collapsed on the field during a preseason friendly match in Heidenheim on Tuesday, just three days after a similar incident in Munich.

Musiala fell to the ground without any physical contact during the friendly in Heidenheim. Teammates and opponents immediately signaled for urgent medical attention. He appeared dazed while receiving assistance before being helped off the pitch. This marked the second alarming episode in three days, as he had a similar issue during a match against RB Leipzig on Saturday, which occurred in hot conditions.

Following the match, Bayern's sporting director, Max Eberl, indicated that Musiala would soon provide an explanation. "Jamal will talk about this soon. We were aware and are conscious of the situation," Eberl stated. Musiala later took to Instagram to reassure fans, explaining that while the episodes might appear distressing, they are now a part of his daily life. He emphasized that the condition, diagnosed as brief, temporary, and treatable episodes of absence due to a neurological dysfunction, carries no additional health risks.

Despite this diagnosis, Musiala affirmed his commitment to his profession and his passion for football. "My personal desire is to continue with what most helps healing: living day by day and continuing with the passion for football," he stated. This comes after a challenging period for the player, who missed the first six months of the 2025-2026 season due to a severe ankle fracture sustained during the 2025 Club World Cup. He returned to play in the latter half of that season and represented Germany in the 2026 World Cup.