Jamal Musiala’s Neurological Condition and Bayern Munich’s Unity

Jamal Musiala’s battle with a neurological condition has become an unlikely symbol of Bayern Munich’s unity – and Lothar Matthäus believes the club deserve full credit for how they have handled it.

The Germany international twice collapsed on the pitch during pre-season friendlies against RB Leipzig and 1. FC Heidenheim, forced off in both games. He later revealed he had been suffering from “absences”, a neurological dysfunction. He has not played for Bayern since.

Bayern then confirmed they had been aware of the illness for a considerable period, explaining that the collapses were linked to a change in his medication rather than a new or unknown problem.

For Matthäus, that revelation said as much about the dressing room as it did about the player.

“The very biggest thing I have experienced at Bayern Munich was the name Jamal Musiala,” he said on Sky90. Then he lifted the curtain on the internal secrecy. “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.”

A club that often lives under a magnifying glass managed to keep one of its most delicate stories in-house. No leaks. No whispers. Just protection.

Matthäus did not hide his admiration. He hailed the way Bayern handled what he called a “sensitive issue”, with Musiala given time and space away from the spotlight as he worked through the problem and adjusted to treatment.

Musiala is now back in training with Bayern, a cautiously optimistic step. Whether new coach Vincent Kompany will risk including him in the squad for Wednesday’s cup tie away to VfL Osnabrück remains open. Bayern are treading carefully, and rightly so.

“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,” Matthäus said.

For Musiala, it is another hurdle in a difficult year. Last season he missed long stretches with a fibula fracture, only returning in January and needing weeks to find rhythm and sharpness. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann still backed him for the World Cup squad in the summer, but like many of his national team colleagues, Musiala struggled to leave a lasting mark on the tournament.

Now the focus turns to the next chapter: a gifted 21-year-old fighting to reclaim his place at the heart of Bayern and Germany, with a club and a dressing room clearly determined to stand behind him.