The first episode occurred during Bayern’s 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena on 15 August. Musiala left the pitch under his own power but appeared dazed. Four days later, on 18 August, he was introduced as a substitute in the second half of a 4-2 win at Heidenheim. Within six minutes of entering the match he collapsed again. Players from both sides formed a protective circle around him while club medical staff attended. He was then assisted from the field and took no further part in the contest.
Later that evening Musiala issued a detailed statement on Instagram. “I have been diagnosed with temporary, brief, but easily treatable absence seizures, which are due to a neurological dysfunction,” he wrote. “These can lead to the recent incidents, like the one against Leipzig or now in Heidenheim. I know these things might seem scary at first glance, but for me, they’re currently part of my everyday life. I’m receiving the best medical treatment and am very optimistic.” He emphasised that there is no additional health risk and that, after regular consultation with neurological specialists, he had personally chosen to continue training and competing with medical clearance. “In close consultation and regular communication with the experts, it was my personal wish to take on this challenge and, with the clearance from the neurologists, to continue focusing on what helps me most in my recovery: simply living my everyday life and pursuing my passion for playing football.”
On Friday, ahead of Bayern’s German Super Cup meeting with Borussia Dortmund, head coach Vincent Kompany provided further clarity. Speaking at a news conference, he confirmed that a recent adjustment to Musiala’s treatment regime had produced the visible side effects. “I spoke with Jamal, he said, ‘No problem, you can say it,’” Kompany said. “With his treatment he changed some things and that had some side effects. That is normal, that during treatment you try something else.” Kompany added that the club had been aware of the condition for a considerable period and that the initial concern within the squad had long since subsided. Musiala will not be included in the Super Cup squad and has been training individually this week while the treatment is stabilised.
Sporting director Max Eberl reinforced the club’s position. “We’ve known about it the entire last season,” he said. “The players also knew about it. For us, it’s become part of everyday life. He changed something in his medication, which is why these situations became clear. We will give him all our support, have already done so, and will continue to do so. We’re doing this together.” Eberl noted that it had been Musiala’s own wish for the diagnosis to be made public once the episodes became visible on the pitch.
Bayern officials have stressed that the condition was identified before the 2026 World Cup and that medical specialists, including neurologists, had provided written clearance for Musiala to continue high-level competition. The club had not previously seen the seizures manifest during matches. Musiala himself had returned from a serious ankle injury sustained in July 2025 that kept him out for six months; by the end of last season and during the World Cup he had begun to regain form. Kompany observed that the player has made substantial progress in training and is expected to return to full involvement once the medication adjustment is complete.
Absence seizures of the type described are brief episodes of impaired awareness that typically last only seconds. They can cause a person to appear momentarily unresponsive or to lose balance, after which normal function resumes. Specialists note that when properly managed with medication the condition need not prevent elite athletes from competing, provided triggers such as dehydration or extreme exertion are monitored. Musiala has underlined that he remains optimistic and that his primary focus is continuing to play for Bayern and Germany while receiving ongoing specialist care.
The Super Cup against Dortmund will therefore proceed without him, as will the early stages of Bayern’s Bundesliga title defence if further adjustment is required. Club and player alike have framed the situation as a manageable medical issue rather than a career-threatening one, with the emphasis placed on measured support, transparent communication and a return to the treatment protocol that had previously kept the episodes under control.
0 Comments