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 is feeling well and faces no ongoing 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. As he lay on the turf, players from both sides quickly formed a protective circle while medical staff rushed on. Musiala was eventually helped to his feet and walked off the pitch.

It was the second such scare in a matter of days. On Sunday (AEST), he had also collapsed during a friendly against Leipzig. On that occasion, he was able to leave the field under his own power, though witnesses said he still looked dazed.

This time, Musiala chose to address the situation directly.

In a message posted on Instagram after Wednesday’s match, the Bayern midfielder explained he has been diagnosed 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, stressing that doctors had assured him there was “no additional health risk”.

Bayern’s own account of the game was far more restrained. In the club’s match report, the incident was reduced to a single line: “There was a setback when Jamal Musiala had to be subbed off with a knock minutes after coming on.”

Musiala painted a more detailed, and more reassuring, picture. He said he is “very optimistic” and under excellent medical care, working closely with specialists to manage the condition.

“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.

The immediate question now hangs over Sunday’s German Supercup, where Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich is scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund at 4:30am AEST — the traditional curtain-raiser to the season.

Whether Musiala is cleared to play or told to wait will be the first hard decision in a campaign Bayern hopes will be defined by his brilliance, not his bravery.