Stefan Effenberg responds to Uli Hoeneß’s comments on Jamal Musiala. The former Bayern captain sees cause for concern regarding the offensive star’s long-term contract.
The public debate surrounding Jamal Musiala and his future at FC Bayern is gaining momentum. Following Uli Hoeneß, Stefan Effenberg has now also weighed in on the national team player’s difficult situation. On SPORT1’s “Doppelpass,” the former Bayern captain weighed Musiala’s health setbacks against the expectations tied to his long-term contract.
“On the one hand, there’s his illness; on the other, there’s his injury history. So they might be wondering whether that was too much for what they’re currently getting, or rather, for the dilemma they’re currently facing,” Effenberg explained.
He was particularly clear when comparing him to Harry Kane, who had just extended his contract through 2029 earlier this week: “The contract with Harry Kane—everyone would agree that’s the right move and makes sense. I think the Bayern management is feeling a bit uneasy about Jamal Musiala’s contract extension. It’s nobody’s fault—neither the player’s nor the club’s.”
The attacking player had extended his contract in February 2025 through the summer of 2030.
Hoeneß doubts Musiala will return to his former form
The discussion was sparked by Hoeneß’s comments on BR’s “Sonntags-Stammtisch.” The Bayern honorary president spoke openly there about Musiala’s illness: “He has an illness that isn’t easily curable, but one that can be managed to some extent with medication. But whether he’ll ever regain the level of performance he once had…”
In this context, Hoeneß also addressed the national team player’s contract. However, his remarks did not constitute a specific medical prognosis or an announced change to the contract.
Since extending his contract, Musiala has had to cope with several serious setbacks. At the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, he suffered a fibula fracture and an ankle injury. Later, he revealed publicly that he had been diagnosed with absences. Most recently, he was sidelined due to a muscle injury. He has since returned to team training.
Steffen Freund also emphasized Bayern’s financial responsibility on “Doppelpass,” without fundamentally questioning the contract extension at the time: “You were right to give Musiala a big contract, and then this illness struck. Everyone wants him to get well, but you still have a responsibility as a club.”
Lothar Matthäus also offered a nuanced response to Hoeneß’s remarks in an interview with BILD. “I don’t know if you necessarily have to say that publicly, especially in the current situation. But Uli isn’t entirely wrong in what he’s saying. The situation is what it is, and you can’t turn a blind eye to it.”
Musiala’s return remains crucial for the team’s sporting plans. With Ismael Saibari sidelined for an extended period following his syndesmotic ligament tear, the team is also missing a player who can fill in for him in the attacking midfield. No definitive date has yet been set for when Musiala will be able to play in competitive matches again. Aaron Danks recently confirmed that Musiala is making progress but explicitly did not set a firm deadline for his return.