Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala assured fans he is “doing well” before sharing the scary condition he’s living with after he collapsed on the pitch twice in less than one week.
“I’m especially grateful for your messages and support!” he wrote in German via Instagram on Tuesday, August 18, according to a translation. “I understand that many of you are worried. I’d like to alleviate those concerns today and explain something.”
Musiala, 23, continued, “I’ve been diagnosed with temporary, brief, but easily treatable absence seizures, which are due to a neurological dysfunction.”
Absence seizures cause “brief, sudden lapses of consciousness,” before the patient becomes alert again, according to the Mayo Clinic. They can be managed with seizure medication and do not often result in injury unless the individual is engaged in a potentially dangerous activity at the time, like driving.
“These can lead to the recent episodes, like the one against Leipzig or now in Heidenheim,” Musiala wrote of his seizures. “I know they seem scary at first glance – but for me, they’re currently just part of my everyday life. I’m receiving excellent medical treatment and am very optimistic. FC Bayern and my family and friends are always by my side and supporting me on this journey.”
He added, “Importantly, there are no further health risks. In close consultation and regular communication with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge and, with the clearance from the neurologists, to continue focusing on what helps me most in my recovery: simply living my daily life and pursuing my passion for playing football. I’ve taken responsibility for that. Overall, I have a very good feeling and I’m on the right track.”
Ismael Saibari and Joshua Kimmich help teammate Jamal Musiala after falling to ground Alex Grimm/Getty Images
That should come as welcome news for Bayern Munich fans. Musiala missed significant time last season with a broken ankle, but returned for the second half, scoring three goals in 15 matches. He then started on Germany’s national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first career tournament goal in a group stage game against Curaçao.
“What helps me most on this path is continuing to chase victories and titles with my team and your amazing support,” Musiala wrote. “I hope you can understand me better now. At the same time, I ask for your understanding that I would like to keep this matter within my closest circle of confidants, the club, and the experts.”
Team president Uli Hoeness told Germany’s RTL that the club had been aware of Musiala’s condition beforehand.
“We have been aware of the problems for some time,” he said. “But last weekend against Leipzig was the first time it happened on the pitch and was visible to everyone.”
Hoeness, 74, continued, “We thought that if it didn’t happen again so quickly, the medication he is taking would help. But when it happened again four days later, in the same way, I was stunned. We expected everything, but not this accumulation of problems. It is a tragedy, especially for Jamal.”
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