Jamal Musiala issues medical update after second collapse in four days during Bayern Munich friendly

Jamal Musiala has once again sparked deep concern across the soccer world after collapsing on the pitch during Bayern Munich‘s preseason friendly against Heidenheim. Forced off the field yet again, the incident marked the second time in a four-day span that the star playmaker has collapsed during match play.

Bayern Munich were playing their final tune-up match before the start of the official season against Heidenheim at the Voith-Arena on Tuesday, August 18. Having seemingly cleared health protocols following an earlier incident against RB Leipzig, Musiala was named to the substitute bench and cleared for match action.

After coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute, Musiala went down to the turf just minutes after entering the pitch and was subsequently forced off in the 69th minute. Unlike the previous scare, he was able to walk off under his own power this time, offering a small sign of relief to the team’s medical staff and worried supporters.

The recurrence has nevertheless created significant concern within the club, coming just four days after his previous on-field collapse. That initial incident occurred during a Telekom Cup match against RB Leipzig, where subsequent medical evaluations attributed the episode primarily to physical exhaustion.

On Monday, two days after the scare against Leipzig and following an individualized training session, Musiala was notably absent from Bayern’s official team presentation at the Campus. Bayern Munich have yet to issue an updated medical statement, leaving Musiala’s status for the upcoming season opener undisclosed.

Jamal Musiala issues medical update

While Bayern have not spoken about the episode officially, Musiala issued a direct update on his Instagram account shortly after the match. In an extended message, he sought to bring calm to the situation by stating that he is doing well, while also explaining the neurological diagnosis behind his last two episodes:

“First and foremost, I am doing well!” Musiala’s statement began. “I am especially grateful for all your messages and support! I understand that many of you are worried. Today, I want to put your minds at ease and explain a little more: I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary but easily treatable episodes of absence, which are caused by a neurological dysfunction. These can lead to the episodes that have occurred recently, such as against Leipzig and now in Heidenheim.

“I know that they may seem scary at first glance, but for me, they are currently part of my everyday life,” he continued. “I am receiving the best possible medical treatment for this and am very optimistic. FC Bayern and my private circle are always by my side and supporting me on this journey.

“The important thing is that there is no further health risk. In close consultation and regular communication with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge and, with the approval of the neurological specialists, continue to focus on what helps me most in my recovery: simply living my everyday life and continuing to pursue my passion of playing football. I have taken responsibility for that decision. Overall, I have a very good feeling and believe I am on the right path.

“What helps me most on this journey is to continue chasing victories and titles with my team and your great support. 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 the circle of my closest confidants, the club, and the experts. Thank you very much,” Musiala concluded.

What is Musiala’s condition?

Musiala revealed that he has been diagnosed with “brief, temporary episodes of absence caused by a neurological dysfunction,” leading to his sudden collapses and momentary lapses in awareness. According to a fact sheet published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) regarding epilepsy and seizures, generalized seizures result from abnormal neuronal activity that rapidly emerges on both sides of the brain.

While severe generalized seizures can trigger a sudden loss of consciousness, falls, or massive muscle contractions, Musiala appears to be dealing with a milder variant. In the case of absence seizures, the NINDS notes that the condition “may cause the person to appear to be staring into space, with or without slight twitching of the muscles.“