Lothar Matthäus Praises Bayern's Handling of Musiala's Health Issue
Lothar Matthäus hails Bayern’s “chapeau” handling of Musiala health scare
Jamal Musiala is back on the training pitch at Säbener Straße, but the story behind his absence has shaken even a club as used to pressure as Bayern Munich.
The Germany international twice collapsed during pre-season friendlies, first against RB Leipzig and then against 1. FC Heidenheim, and had to leave the field on both occasions. He later revealed he had been suffering from “absences”, a neurological dysfunction, and has not played a competitive minute for Bayern since.
Bayern then confirmed they had known about the illness for some time, stressing that the collapses were linked to a change in his medication rather than a new, sudden problem.
For Lothar Matthäus, that quiet handling of a deeply personal issue said more about the club than any title parade.
“The very biggest thing I have experienced at Bayern Munich was the name Jamal Musiala,” the record Germany international said on Sky90. He was not talking about a dribble or a goal. He was talking about silence. About discretion.
“People at the club have known for six, seven, eight months. 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 almost everything leaks, nothing did. No whispers, no half-stories, no “sources close to the dressing room”. Just a united front around a 21-year-old trying to manage a neurological condition while living under the glare of Bayern and the national team.
Matthäus did not hold back in his admiration. He called Bayern’s approach exemplary, stressing the sensitivity with which the club, staff and players had protected Musiala.
“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,” he said.
Musiala’s return to the grass offers a cautious hint of normality. He is back in training with Bayern, easing his way into drills and building rhythm again. Whether Vincent Kompany is ready to take the next step with him is another matter. The new head coach has yet to decide if Musiala will be part of the squad for Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal tie away to VfL Osnabrück.
The medical green light is one thing. Competitive football, with its intensity and scrutiny, is another.
This latest setback comes on the back of a stop-start campaign last season. Musiala missed long stretches with a fibula fracture, only returning in January and needing weeks to find his sharpness. He travelled to the World Cup in the summer with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, but like many of his national team colleagues, he struggled to leave a lasting mark on the tournament.
So the picture is layered. A generational talent, a body tested by injury and illness, a club closing ranks around one of its brightest stars.
The question now is not just when Musiala will be back in a Bayern shirt, but what version of him the Bundesliga will see when he finally steps over the white line again.
