Ahead of the World Cup, Jamal Musiala speaks openly about his biggest role model—who doesn’t play soccer. The Bayern star names an NBA superstar as his inspiration and explains what he learns from his mental strength.
In an interview with Sport BILD, the 23-year-old offered deep insights into his mindset. Instead of a striker or playmaker, he turns to basketball—specifically Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. For Musiala, the sport has long been more than just a hobby; it’s a true source of mental strength.
He’s not just impressed by how Curry shines on the court. Above all, it’s Curry’s charisma and the way he handles setbacks that have captivated the Bayern attacker. “I want to radiate the same joy that he conveys on the court,” says Musiala.
What further wins him over is that Curry has remained down-to-earth despite all his titles and successes. “I like who he is as a person. He’s never changed despite his success; he’s always remained friendly and likable. I haven’t met him in person yet, but from everything I’ve heard about him, he seems like a really great guy,” says the national team player.
Parallels in Injuries
But it’s not just their personalities that connect Musiala to his idol. Both have battled through difficult periods of injury, and both have experienced ups and downs. “Steph Curry struggled with injuries just like I did—he really had to grit his teeth and push through. He’s had good and bad phases in his career, from which he’s learned. He’s always believed in himself,” explains Musiala. Curry also “worked hard to get where he is today.”
The Bayern star is applying these lessons directly to the upcoming World Cup. He also finds inspiration in analyzing NBA teams—citing the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs as examples. “What makes the Knicks so strong is their team chemistry,” says Musiala. While the Spurs may have “the better individual players” and “the bigger stars,” “the Knicks’ team just clicked better. And that could be the deciding factor for us, too.”
Musiala is rediscovering his joy for the game
Looking at his own form, the 23-year-old is confident. “The more minutes and games I play, the better I feel with the ball. I’m really enjoying playing again,” says Musiala. At the same time, he has learned not to put pressure on himself.
“No one puts more pressure on me than I do myself. But what I’ve also learned over the years is that I can’t be too hard on myself. In the end, that only has a negative impact on your own game,” the attacking player emphasizes. It’s a realization that should help him and the DFB team at the World Cup.