Jamal Musiala Addresses Neurological Condition After Collapses

Jamal Musiala has revealed he is dealing with a neurological condition after collapsing twice in a week during Bayern Munich’s preseason, but insists he faces no long-term health danger.

The 23-year-old Germany international went down again on Wednesday (AEST), shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute in a friendly in Heidenheim. Teammates and opponents immediately formed a protective circle as medical staff rushed on. Musiala was eventually helped to his feet and walked off the pitch.

It was the second scare in a matter of days. On Sunday (AEST), he had also collapsed during a friendly against Leipzig, leaving the field under his own power but visibly dazed, according to German agency DPA.

This time, Musiala decided to address the situation himself.

On Instagram after Wednesday’s game, the Bayern midfielder explained that doctors had diagnosed him with temporary “but easily treatable absence seizures” linked to a neurological issue.

“These can lead to the moments that happened recently, such as against Leipzig or even now in Heidenheim,” he wrote, adding that he was “very optimistic” and under excellent medical care.

Crucially, Musiala stressed that specialists had assured him there was “no additional health risk”.

Bayern’s own match report was far more restrained, noting only that “there was a setback when Jamal Musiala had to be subbed off with a knock minutes after coming on,” without mentioning the diagnosis or the nature of the incident.

Musiala, one of Bayern’s most important attacking players and a central figure for Germany, made it clear he wants to keep his life and career as normal as possible.

“In close coordination and regular communication with experts, it has been my personal wish to face the challenge and, with the endorsement of the neurological specialists, to devote myself to what helps me most in recovery: to simply live my everyday life and keep up with my passion of playing football,” he wrote.

Bayern now move towards their first piece of silverware of the new campaign, the German Supercup against Borussia Dortmund at 4:30am AEST on Sunday, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Bundesliga season.

Whether Musiala is declared fit to take part in that showcase, after a week that has shaken both club and country, remains an open and pressing question.