Jamal Musiala reveals he suffers from absence seizures after two collapses in three days

Two collapses in three days set off alarm bells in Munich. Jamal Musiala went down on the field first against Leipzig and then, just moments after coming on as a substitute, in Tuesday's friendly against Heidenheim. On both occasions he received medical attention on the pitch before being taken off, and the nearly identical scenes left everyone holding their breath.

Hours after the second incident, the 23-year-old forward broke his silence on Instagram. Musiala revealed he had been diagnosed with "brief, temporary but easily treatable absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction," and that this condition was behind the fainting spells against Leipzig and Heidenheim. He was quick to clarify, though, that there is "no additional risk" to his health and that he intends to carry on with his normal life, including his passion: playing soccer.

So what does Bayern have to say? Almost nothing, at least officially. The club has not issued any statements or responded to requests for information about the player's condition. German news agency DPA, citing sources inside the club, reported that there is no indication Musiala's future career is at risk, though there was also no certainty about his availability for the team's upcoming matches: Saturday's German Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund and the start of the Bundesliga title defense the following week against Stuttgart.

Eberl's comments and the comparison to Eriksen

Sporting director Max Eberl spoke to reporters after the Heidenheim match and initially declined to go into detail about his player's situation, saying it would be up to Jamal himself to speak on the matter later. "We knew and we know, but Jamal will be in touch," he said.

Eberl also took the opportunity to reflect on what moments like this mean when they play out in front of the cameras, drawing a parallel with another case that shook European soccer:

What's beautiful about soccer, and something I wish we saw more often in society as a whole, is that when something happens that grabs everyone's attention, like Christian Eriksen's collapse or now Jamal's situation, everyone understands that soccer is the most beautiful of the unimportant things in the world, and that there are far more important matters at stake. It's a good sign. It feels wonderful to see society come together showing that kind of solidarity.Max Eberl

Musiala himself sounded calm and grateful in his message. "I'm receiving excellent medical care for this and I'm feeling very optimistic," he wrote. "Bayern and my personal circle are always by my side, supporting me through this whole process."

The forward had been coming off a physically difficult season: he missed a large chunk of last year with a leg fracture suffered at the Club World Cup in July 2024, though he returned in January, and his strong performances earned him a spot on the German national team. In the Bundesliga he tallied three goals and five assists in 15 matches, adding two goals and an assist in the Champions League. In total, he has racked up 69 goals in 231 appearances for Bayern Munich.