Jamal Musiala Addresses Health Concerns After Seizures
Jamal Musiala has revealed he is living with treatable absence seizures after collapsing on the pitch for the second time in four days, but insists there is no long-term threat to his health or his career.
The Bayern Munich midfielder went down just eight minutes after coming on as a substitute in Tuesday night’s friendly against FC Heidenheim, a worrying repeat of the incident that halted Saturday’s game against RB Leipzig. Twice in less than a week, one of Germany’s brightest stars was suddenly on the turf, players and staff rushing toward him as stadiums fell silent.
This time, Musiala chose to speak.
Musiala explains diagnosis
On Wednesday, the 23-year-old took control of the narrative with a detailed message on Instagram, confirming doctors had identified the cause.
"I understand that many of you are worried. I would like to put those concerns to rest today and explain the situation: I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary -- but treatable -- absence seizures resulting from a neurological dysfunction," he wrote.
"These can lead to the kind of incidents seen recently, such as during the match against Leipzig or the game in Heidenheim.
"I know they might look alarming at first glance, but for me, they are currently part of my everyday life. I am receiving excellent medical care and remain very optimistic. FC Bayern and my personal support network are right by my side, helping me through this."
The images from both friendlies were striking: Musiala, only recently back from a broken leg, suddenly down again, staff forming a protective ring, fans holding their breath. The fear was obvious. So was the relief when he eventually rose.
Inside Bayern, though, this was not a complete shock.
Bayern were already aware
Speaking after the Heidenheim match, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl was asked why Musiala had been on the pitch again so soon after his collapse against Leipzig. His answer underlined that the club had long been briefed.
Eberl said Musiala would address the matter himself, then added that "we knew about it and we are aware of the situation."
Musiala’s statement confirmed that picture of controlled, closely monitored management rather than a mystery condition suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
"Importantly, there is no further health risk involved," Musiala said. "In close consultation and regular contact with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge; with the medical clearance of the neurologists, I want to continue doing what helps my recovery most: simply living my life and pursuing my passion for playing football.
"I have taken full responsibility for this decision. Overall, I feel very positive and am on the right track."
He also made it clear this was not a story he ever wanted in public view.
Musiala explained that his "wish [was] to keep this matter private, sharing it only with my closest circle, the club, and the medical experts." The repeated on-field episodes forced a different approach. Silence was no longer an option.
From broken leg to World Cup stage
This is not the first serious challenge Musiala has faced in the past year.
He broke his leg last summer in Bayern’s Club World Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, an injury that cut short his tournament and raised doubts about how quickly he could regain his explosiveness. The recovery was long, but he returned to Bundesliga action at the start of 2026 and quickly re-established himself as a central figure in Bayern’s attack.
Germany then leaned heavily on him at the 2026 World Cup. Under Julien Nagelsmann, Musiala was a key player, one of the few who consistently carried threat and imagination in a campaign that ended in shock. Germany crashed out in the round of 32 to Paraguay, a result that stunned the country and left a generation of players, Musiala among them, with something to prove.
Now another hurdle has appeared, different in nature but no less personal.
Playing on, on his own terms
The midfielder’s message carried a clear theme: he wants to keep playing, and he wants that choice to be his.
He stressed that specialists had cleared him and that continuing to live normally, including playing football, is part of his recovery rather than a risk to it. Bayern, for their part, are standing firmly behind him, aware of the condition, aware of the protocols, and aware of what he means to their present and future.
The sight of Musiala collapsing twice in four days will linger with supporters. So will his response: open, direct, and defiantly focused on the pitch.
The question now is not whether he will step back onto the grass. It is how far, and how fast, he can still drive Bayern and Germany in a career that refuses to be defined by setbacks.
