Jamal Musiala, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, is enduring one of the toughest periods of his career. In a pre-season friendly against Heidenheim, he came on as a substitute in the second half but managed just eight minutes on the pitch before losing consciousness. This terrifying incident marks the second time he has fainted in just four days, following a similar episode in the weekend's clash with RB Leipzig.
Publicly addressing fans on social media, Musiala admitted that these absence seizures have become a part of his daily life. He explained that they are due to a neurological dysfunction and are treatable with medication.
Bayern's England captain and Musiala's teammate, Harry Kane, has expressed his full support for his colleague, highlighting that the entire squad and the player's family are rallying around Jamal during this challenging time in his career.
Bayern Munich's response and medical insights
Uli Hoeness, the honorary president of Bayern Munich, revealed that the management was aware of the player's neurological issues before the World Cup, although symptoms only manifested on the pitch during the game against RB Leipzig:
- Management's reaction: Hoeness expressed his shock at the repeated incident just four days later, as the club had hoped the medication would be effective;
- Medical assurances: Leading neurologists have provided the club with official confirmation that Musiala's condition does not preclude him from participation in professional sports at high levels;
- Caution: The management acknowledges the need for gradual adaptation to this new clinical situation.
The nature of the seizures and sporting risks
Dr. Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist at London’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, explained that absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure typical in children and young adults. They last only seconds and are characterized by temporary losses of awareness, a blank stare, loss of balance, or involuntary movements.
Frequent seizures occurring throughout the day may indicate epilepsy, which can be effectively controlled. In sports, dehydration and hyperventilation are common triggers for such episodes. With the right treatment, this diagnosis doesn't have to end a professional career; a prime example is English rugby player Tommy Freeman, who competes at the top level thanks to his medication.
A rough patch for the German talent
Musiala’s neurological diagnosis adds to a series of misfortunes in his career. In spring 2025, he missed the end of the season due to an injury and was involved in a severe car accident. Although he recovered in time for the Club World Cup, he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle following a collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the quarter-finals against PSG, sidelining him for 196 days.
The player competed with a metal plate in his foot until the end of the summer World Cup in 2026, but surgery to remove it in July disrupted his pre-season preparations. Amid these health concerns for their star man, Bayern has already secured the signing of Moroccan midfielder Ismael Sabari for £43 million.
Experts note that despite being one of the highest-paid players at the club alongside Kane, and having a nine-figure release clause, Musiala’s current form and health status likely deter any immediate transfer interest from other top clubs.
