Jamal Musiala’s long injury layoff continues to spark discussion at FC Bayern. The 23-year-old has been sidelined since late September due to a torn muscle fiber in his right thigh. Although the star forward has since resumed individual training with the ball, his return to action is still a long way off. Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s all-time leading international, has now voiced a controversial suspicion.
Musiala was injured during the last international break while playing for the German national team. Initially, it was reported to be a muscle fiber tear. However, more than five weeks have now passed without the attacking player returning to team training.
For Matthäus, the unusually long layoff raises questions. In his column for Sky, the 65-year-old speculates whether there might have been another setback during rehabilitation.
Matthäus suspects another setback for Musiala
“Back in September in Amsterdam, there was talk of a torn muscle fiber. I suspect something else has happened in the meantime—a torn muscle fiber doesn’t take six weeks to heal,” explained the former Bayern captain.
Matthäus is thus at least casting doubt on the injury details that have been reported so far. However, his suspicion is based solely on the length of the recovery period. The Sky expert did not provide any specific information about an additional injury or a setback.
Nor has FC Bayern confirmed so far that Musiala re-injured himself during his rehabilitation.
Rather, club officials had recently emphasized that they were taking a deliberately cautious approach to the 23-year-old’s return.
Eberl explains why Musiala’s comeback is taking longer
Sporting Director Max Eberl had spoken at length about the star forward’s situation just last Monday before the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. “Jamal’s situation is well known. Due to his condition, he didn’t have an optimal preseason, and then he got injured while playing for the DFB, not with us,” explained the Bayern boss.
According to Eberl, the lack of optimal preparation is a key reason why the Munich club is taking a particularly cautious approach to Musiala’s return.
“It’s taking a little longer because we want him to be 100 percent fit,” Eberl emphasized.
At the same time, the sporting director offered hope for a speedy return. “I hope that during the international break he’ll be able to train more and rejoin team training—and then return to action after the international break.”
After all, there are already positive signs. On Monday, Musiala completed an individual training session with the ball, taking another step toward his comeback.
For FC Bayern, his return would be particularly important given the current injury crisis. With Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry, and Luis Díaz currently sidelined, the team is missing several other attacking players.
The current plan is for the national team player to return to team training during the international break and then be available again for competitive matches.