Musiala's neurological dysfunction: a "tragedy," says Bayern's honorary president

"It's a tragedy, especially for Jamal Musiala," Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness told German television RTL on Wednesday, offering "unconditional support" to the player, who is suffering from a "neurological dysfunction" causing "brief and temporary absences."

Bayern Munich striker Jamal Musiala collapsed during two games in the space of three days, on Saturday in Munich against Leipzig and on Tuesday in Heidenheim, in pre-season matches for the 2026/27 season.

On Tuesday evening, the 23-year-old German international explained on his Instagram account that these "brief and temporary absences, easily treatable" were caused by a "neurological dysfunction", specifying that there was "no additional risk to health".

"We've been aware of the problem for a long time," explained Uli Hoeness in an interview with RTL. The honorary president of Bayern Munich assured that, according to the neurologists treating Musiala, there is no contraindication to him participating in high-level sports.

"Last weekend, during the first incident, we consulted quickly and it was decided that there would be unconditional support for Jamal, at all levels. I know that he is already receiving medical care again today," Mr. Hoeness stated.

"It's a tragedy, especially for Jamal. Now, with these two incidents on Saturday and yesterday, it's primarily a problem for Jamal, but also a medium-term problem for Bayern. We are all speechless, we weren't prepared for this. We will have to learn how to manage the situation," he added.

- "Being by his side" -

"Obviously, it's not pleasant to see something like this. He's our friend, our teammate, it's frustrating," reacted England's Harry Kane in the mixed zone on Wednesday, after receiving the 2026 European Golden Shoe. Musiala "simply wants to be on the pitch and get back to normal as soon as possible. But that means being by his side, talking to him. We support him 100%."

For neurologist Maria Ilyas-Feldmann of the Ruppin-Brandenburg University Clinic, interviewed by the German press agency SID, a subsidiary of AFP, "based on the information made public, it is not possible to make a precise diagnosis".

Because "the term +neurological dysfunction+ is very vague and can cover very different causes".

"Even if it's a case of epilepsy, that doesn't mean high-level sport is out of the question." It's "a common neurological condition, and in many cases, it responds very well to treatment," this epilepsy specialist stated.

According to Ms. Ilyas-Feldmann, "approximately two-thirds of patients can become seizure-free with appropriate drug treatment. In principle, therefore, professional football remains possible even with epilepsy."