Key facts
- Collapsed during 3-1 friendly win over RB Leipzig on August 15, then again during 4-2 friendly win over Heidenheim on August 18
- Diagnosed with brief, temporary, treatable absence seizures caused by neurological dysfunction
- 23-year-old received medical clearance from neurologists to continue playing with ongoing treatment and monitoring
- Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the club was aware of the situation prior to the collapses
- Musiala had missed significant time last season due to ankle injury suffered at 2025 Club World Cup
The collapses and the diagnosis
Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich’s 23-year-old winger, collapsed on the pitch twice within four days during preseason preparation. He first fell during a 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday, August 15, appearing woozy as he dropped to the ground. New Bayern signing Ismael Saibari came to his aid. Four days later, on August 18, Musiala fell again just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 4-2 friendly against Heidenheim. Both times, he was helped off the pitch by medical staff.
After the second incident, Musiala posted a statement on Instagram revealing his diagnosis: brief, temporary absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction. He stated he is receiving excellent medical care and remains optimistic about his condition. Absence seizures are neurological events that can result in brief losses of awareness and may last seconds.
Medical clearance and club awareness
Following the first collapse against Leipzig, Bayern’s medical staff cleared Musiala of major concerns and approved his return to training. Head coach Vincent Kompany attributed that incident to a combination of significant heat and Musiala’s recent medical struggles. Medical tests revealed no significant issues at that time.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl disclosed that the club was aware of Musiala’s condition before the collapses occurred. After the second incident against Heidenheim, Eberl said the player would address the situation publicly, stating, “We knew about it and we are aware of the situation.”
Musiala’s statement and outlook
In his Instagram post, Musiala emphasized he is doing well and asked supporters not to worry. He noted that while the seizures “might look scary at first glance,” they are currently part of his everyday life and he is receiving excellent medical care. He also stated there is no further health risk involved.
Musiala said he had personally chosen to face the challenge head-on, and with medical clearance from neurologists, he intends to continue living his daily life and pursuing his passion for playing football. He acknowledged seeking understanding for keeping further details of his condition private, sharing them only with his closest circle, the club, and medical experts.
Recent injury history
The seizure diagnosis comes amid a pattern of injury setbacks for Musiala in recent seasons. He missed the first six months of last season after breaking his ankle at the 2025 Club World Cup. He returned to action in the second half of that campaign and started three of Germany’s four matches at the 2026 World Cup. The neurological condition represents a fresh medical challenge as he prepared for the new season.
Upcoming schedule
Bayern Munich was set to begin the 2026/27 season with the DFL-Supercup match against Borussia Dortmund. Musiala’s participation in that fixture and beyond will depend on his ongoing medical management and recovery progress under the supervision of the club and neurological specialists.
Sources
Featured photo: Bryan Berlin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)