Jamal Musiala diagnosed with treatable absence seizures after collapses
Musiala’s Recent Incidents and Diagnosis
Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala recently experienced two collapses on the pitch within four days, prompting concerns about his health. The Germany international collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Heidenheim on Tuesday, just eight minutes after entering the match as a second-half substitute. This incident mirrored a similar event that occurred on Saturday during a friendly against RB Leipzig.
Following these events, Musiala took to social media to explain his condition, stating he has been diagnosed with “treatable absence seizures” stemming from a “neurological dysfunction.” He clarified that these seizures are currently part of his daily life but assured supporters that there is no long-term health risk. Musiala expressed gratitude for the messages of support and aimed to alleviate worries, emphasizing that he is receiving excellent medical care and remains optimistic.
The 23-year-old indicated that his decision to continue playing was made in close consultation with medical experts. He expressed a personal wish to face this challenge and pursue his passion for football with the medical clearance of neurologists. Musiala stated that he feels positive and is on the right track, finding strength in continuing to chase victories and titles with his team.
Club and Teammate Support
Bayern Munich has acknowledged awareness of Musiala’s condition, with honorary president Uli Hoeness confirming that signs of the issue were present before the World Cup. However, Hoeness noted that the incidents against Leipzig and Heidenheim were the first times the condition manifested visibly on the pitch. Despite the collapses, Bayern officials confirmed that Musiala had been cleared to play by medical experts before the Tuesday friendly.
Hoeness further explained that the club had taken precautions and received written confirmation from neurologists and specialists, assuring that there are no concerns regarding Musiala’s participation in high-performance sports. He added that without such confirmation, the club would have acted negligently. Hoeness admitted that the situation is new and will require careful navigation.
England captain and teammate Harry Kane voiced his support for Musiala, acknowledging the difficult moment his teammate is experiencing. Kane highlighted Musiala’s talent and importance to the team, expressing sympathy for his recent struggles. He assured that Musiala has the full support of everyone at Bayern, as well as his friends and family, and that the team will be there to help him cope with the situation.
Kane also mentioned Musiala’s dedication, noting his hard work behind the scenes and on the training pitch, especially after a tough injury last season. The team’s collective support aims to assist Musiala through this period.
Understanding Absence Seizures and Musiala’s Recent Challenges
Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure that can lead to varying degrees of loss of awareness. Dr. Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist, explained that typical absence seizures are usually brief, lasting seconds, and may make an individual appear to be daydreaming or looking blank. During these seizures, a person might lose balance and become unresponsive. Atypical absences, which last longer, can involve automatic movements such as fidgeting, eyelid fluttering, or lip smacking, and may cause falls.
Repeated episodes over more than 24 hours can indicate epilepsy, though these seizures are treatable with medication. Dr. Sidhu noted that for athletes, potential triggers can include hyperventilation and dehydration. She emphasized that with effective treatment, absence seizures should not prevent individuals from participating in sports. The condition has been managed by other elite athletes, including rugby player Tommy Freeman, who manages epilepsy with medication while playing for Northampton and England.
Musiala’s recent diagnosis adds to a challenging period in his career. His 2024-25 campaign was cut short by injury in early April, followed by involvement in a serious traffic accident shortly after. He returned to action two months later for the Fifa Club World Cup but sustained a broken leg and dislocated ankle in the quarter-final against Paris St-Germain, sidelining him for 196 days. He then 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 metal plate was removed in July, which restricted his pre-season training. German football expert Constantin Eckner observed that Musiala has not been a significant factor in the past 18 months, attributing this to his recovery from the broken leg and dislocated ankle, and subsequent ankle issues while playing with the metal plate. Eckner noted that the start of the upcoming season would have been difficult due to his recovery from surgery. Eckner also suggested that Bayern’s acquisition of Morocco attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari for £43m was partly a measure to address potential fitness concerns regarding Musiala. Musiala has a release clause in his contract that could be activated next summer.
Bayern is scheduled to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the German Supercup.
Source: bbc.com
