Jamal Musiala Addresses Health Concerns After Collapsing Twice

Jamal Musiala has moved to calm fears over his health after collapsing for the second time in a week, revealing he has been diagnosed with temporary but “easily treatable” absence seizures caused by a neurological issue.

The Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder, 23, went down shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute in Wednesday’s preseason friendly in Heidenheim (AEST). As he lay on the turf, players from both sides quickly formed a protective circle while medical staff rushed on. Musiala was eventually helped to his feet and guided off the pitch.

It was a worrying repeat. On Sunday (AEST), during a friendly against Leipzig, he had also collapsed. German agency DPA reported that he was able to leave the field under his own power, though he still looked dazed as he did so.

This time, Musiala chose to address the situation directly. In a post on Instagram after Wednesday’s game, he explained that doctors had identified the cause.

He wrote that he has “temporary but easily treatable absence seizures” linked to a neurological problem, adding that these episodes “can lead to the moments that happened recently, such as against Leipzig or even now in Heidenheim”.

Crucially, Musiala stressed that specialists had reassured him about the long-term implications. “The important thing is that there is no additional health risk,” he said, describing himself as “very optimistic” and praising the medical care he is receiving.

He also made it clear he wants to stay as close as possible to normal life and football, with the backing of experts.

“In close coordination and regular communication with experts, it has been my personal wish to face the challenge and, with the endorsement of the neurological specialists, to devote myself to what helps me most in recovery: to simply live my everyday life and keep up with my passion of playing football,” Musiala wrote.

Bayern, for their part, played down the incident in their official report on Wednesday’s match, noting only that “there was a setback when Jamal Musiala had to be subbed off with a knock minutes after coming on,” without mentioning the diagnosis.

The timing adds another layer of intrigue to Bayern’s immediate plans. The Bundesliga champions face Borussia Dortmund at 4:30am AEST on Sunday in the German Supercup, the traditional curtain-raiser to the season. Musiala’s status for that clash remains unclear, with no confirmation yet on whether he will be passed fit to play.

For now, the questions around his availability linger. The reassurance from specialists that there is “no additional health risk” offers comfort, but Bayern must decide how quickly to lean again on one of their brightest stars as a new campaign looms.