Jamal Musiala reveals ‘treatable absence seizures’ after collapsing in matches
Musiala’s Recent Health Update
Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala has disclosed that he is experiencing “treatable absence seizures” following two recent collapses on the pitch. The Germany international fell during a friendly match against Heidenheim on Tuesday, just four days after a similar incident occurred in a friendly against RB Leipzig on Saturday. Musiala, who is 23, stated that there is no long-term health risk associated with his condition.
Musiala shared on social media that these seizures are a result of a “neurological dysfunction” and have become a part of his daily life. He emphasized that he is receiving comprehensive medical care and remains optimistic about his situation. The player also noted that FC Bayern and his personal support network are assisting him through this period.
The incidents saw Musiala collapse shortly after entering the matches as a substitute. During the Heidenheim game, he was on the pitch for only eight minutes before collapsing. Teammates, including England captain Harry Kane, offered comfort during these moments. Musiala was subsequently helped off the pitch.
Club and Medical Perspectives
Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness confirmed that the club had been aware of Musiala’s condition for some time, but the incident against RB Leipzig was the first time it manifested visibly on the pitch. Hoeness expressed his surprise when the collapse recurred against Heidenheim just four days later. Despite concerns from some supporters about Musiala playing so soon after the initial incident, Bayern officials assured that medical experts had cleared him to play on Tuesday.
Hoeness further explained that neurologists and specialists provided written confirmation that there are “no concerns” regarding Musiala’s participation in high-performance sports. He stressed that this confirmation was crucial for the club to avoid acting negligently. Harry Kane reiterated the team’s full support for Musiala, acknowledging his talent and importance to the squad. Kane highlighted Musiala’s dedication, especially after overcoming a tough injury last season.
Dr. Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist, explained that absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure that typically lasts for seconds, where the affected person might appear to be daydreaming or unresponsive. She noted that repeated episodes over more than 24 hours could indicate epilepsy, but these seizures are treatable with medication. Dr. Sidhu also stated that when effectively treated, absence seizures should not prevent individuals from participating in sports.
Musiala’s Recent Challenges
Musiala’s recent diagnosis adds to a challenging period in his career. His 2024-25 campaign was cut short by injury in early April, and he was involved in a serious traffic accident shortly after. He returned to action two months later for the Fifa Club World Cup but then sustained a broken leg and dislocated ankle during the quarter-final against Paris St-Germain, which sidelined him for 196 days.
Following this, Musiala played with a metal plate in his foot from January until the end of this summer’s World Cup in North America, where he made four appearances for Germany. The plate was removed in July, which limited his pre-season training. German football expert Constantin Eckner noted that Musiala’s performances had been affected by these issues and that the start of the upcoming season would have been difficult due to his surgery.
Eckner also suggested that Bayern‘s acquisition of Morocco attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari for £43m was partly a measure to mitigate Musiala’s fitness concerns. Despite being one of Bayern‘s top earners alongside Harry Kane, Musiala’s contributions have not matched Kane’s. Eckner mentioned a release clause in Musiala’s contract that could be activated next summer, though he deemed it unrealistic for any club to pay the reported nine-digit fee at present. Musiala expressed his desire to continue playing football, stating it helps his recovery.
The Bundesliga champions are scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the German Supercup.
Source: bbc.com
