Bayern Munich attributes Jamal Musiala collapses to change in neurological treatment

Medical explanation and diagnosis disclosure

Bayern Munich management clarified on Friday that recent on-pitch collapses suffered by Jamal Musiala were caused by modifications to his medical treatment. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder was diagnosed with a neurological dysfunction that causes absence seizures, a medical condition the club has monitored since before the start of the previous season. Sporting director Max Eberl and head coach Vincent Kompany addressed reporters in Munich ahead of the German Supercup, explaining that the fainting episodes occurred as direct side effects after altering his prescription. Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness previously referred to the situation as a drama for the club, but team officials stressed that medical experts have guided every step of his care. Musiala chose to reveal his diagnosis on social media following the incidents, describing the brief seizures as manageable episodes that do not pose additional long-term health risks to his athletic career.

We've known about it the entire last season. The players also knew about it. For us, it's become part of everyday life.

Consecutive collapses during pre-season fixtures

The medical incidents occurred across two exhibition fixtures within a four-day span in August. During Bayern's 3-1 friendly victory against RB Leipzig on Saturday, Musiala lost consciousness on the pitch, prompting medical personnel to rush to his side while teammates stood around him to protect his privacy. The midfielder was able to walk off the field with assistance, though appearing visibly dazed. Three days later, during a 4-2 friendly win over Heidenheim on Tuesday, Musiala collapsed again six minutes after entering the game as a second-half substitute. Club physicians treated him immediately before escorting him to the dressing room.

Supercup squad omission and training adjustments

Kompany confirmed that Musiala will not feature in the matchday squad for Saturday's Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup fixture against Borussia Dortmund. The decision gives the player time to adjust to his recalibrated medication regimen and process the public attention surrounding his condition. Musiala spent the week undergoing individual training routines at the club's training ground rather than taking part in full team sessions. Bayern will also contest the Supercup match without teammates Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl.

With his treatment he changed some things and that had some side effects. That is normal, that during treatment you try something else.

Recovery trajectory and competitive outlook

Club medical personnel are working to readjust Musiala's medication to return him to the stable, seizure-free state he maintained throughout the 2025–2026 campaign. Musiala previously missed six months of action following a severe injury in July 2025, but Kompany noted that the midfielder has made continuous athletic progress in recent training sessions. The Bayern manager expressed optimism that Musiala's absence from competitive fixtures will be brief rather than a prolonged layoff lasting multiple weeks. Bayern opens its domestic competitive season against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening before starting its title defence in the Bundesliga.