Musiala Opens Up About His Blackouts
Bayern and Germany star Jamal Musiala has announced that he suffers from brief absence seizures, and a German neurologist has confirmed he can continue playing football.
Bayern and Germany star Jamal Musiala has announced that he suffers from brief absence seizures, and a German neurologist has confirmed he can continue playing football.
Jamal Musiala, the 23-year-old midfielder for Bayern and the German national team, has spoken publicly for the first time about the health issues that have recently caused him to lose consciousness during matches. In a message posted on Instagram on August 19, 2026, he assured fans he is doing well and explained his diagnosis.
Musiala lost consciousness twice in just three days, during matches against RB Leipzig and Heidenheim. The incidents alarmed the football community, and now the player has decided to clarify the situation. "First of all, I'm fine," Musiala wrote in English in his Instagram post, thanking fans for their messages and support.
In a message posted on Tuesday evening, Musiala revealed the exact diagnosis. "I have been diagnosed with temporary, short-term, but easily treatable absence seizures, which are the result of a neurological dysfunction. They can lead to episodes like the ones that recently occurred, such as the one against Leipzig, and now in Heidenheim," Musiala wrote.
The player added that he experiences such episodes almost every day, but there is no cause for major concern. He emphasized that he made the decision to continue his daily activities and play football after consulting with specialists and receiving approval from a neurologist.
Professor Christoph Kleinschnitz, head of Neurology at the University Hospital in Essen, practically confirmed Musiala's words. "From a neurological standpoint, this could be an epileptic seizure. It could be so-called absence epilepsy. Symptoms, such as brief lapses, point in that direction. However, to confirm this, we would need the results of all neurological examinations. This is a condition that can be successfully treated, but it would require ongoing treatment. Musiala could continue playing football," said Kleinschnitz, emphasizing that the diagnosis depends on each individual case.
According to the German news agency DPA, Bayern does not believe their key player should take a break from playing football at the highest level. The club stated that Musiala received the "green light" from doctors to play against both Leipzig and Heidenheim, and that they followed their reports.
It remains to be seen whether Musiala will be in the squad for the next match, against Borussia Dortmund for the German Super Cup. In his message, Musiala noted that no other health risks have been identified at this stage and that he remains optimistic about his recovery, focused on returning to the pitch and helping Bayern compete for titles. He asked fans to respect his privacy regarding the details of his medical condition.
