FC Bayern is currently without Jamal Musiala. After the German national team player collapsed on the field twice within a few days during summer training, he subsequently revealed publicly that he had been diagnosed with temporary blackouts. Lothar Matthäus is now particularly impressed by how the record champions have handled the situation internally.
Musiala’s health situation had been known within the club for quite some time. Yet no information reached the public for months. For Matthäus, this is a remarkable example of just how strong the sense of unity is at FC Bayern.
The record-holding national team player spoke at length on the subject Sunday evening on Sky90 and made it clear that, for him, this is about much more than just soccer.
Matthäus: “That’s where you see the team spirit.”
The TV analyst was particularly impressed by how many people at FC Bayern were apparently aware of Musiala’s situation and yet still respected the player’s privacy.
“The greatest thing I’ve experienced at Bayern Munich was the name Jamal Musiala. The club has known about it for six, seven, eight months. But it’s not just the president and the team doctor who know. The whole team knows. And nothing has leaked out,” Matthäus explained.
For the 65-year-old, this is precisely a sign of the unity within the record-holding champions: “That’s where you see the team spirit. Not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
Matthäus therefore expressed “enormous respect” for his former club for handling such a sensitive issue “so cohesively and correctly.” His conclusion was clear: “All I can say is: Hats off to FC Bayern.”
Precisely because Musiala is one of the club’s most prominent players and the public closely follows his development, it is remarkable that his health situation could be handled internally over an extended period of time.
Bayern was in communication with Musiala’s doctors
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen had also recently confirmed that club officials had been aware of Musiala’s situation for some time. At the same time, the Bayern boss made it clear that sporting decisions were always made in consultation with the treating physicians.
“We are, of course, in consultation with the neurologist and his doctors, who have also recommended that he play and that the club allow him to play,” Dreesen explained.
Following the two incidents during preseason, the Munich club is now taking a particularly cautious approach with its star forward. Musiala was not included in the squad for either the 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Super Cup or the 5-1 win against VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga opener.
National team coach Jürgen Klopp had also recently emphasized that Musiala should be given all the time he needs. The focus is therefore currently exclusively on ensuring that the Bayern star can make a full recovery and return without unnecessary pressure.
It remains to be seen when Musiala will take the field again for the record champions. Meanwhile, Matthäus makes it clear that, in his view, FC Bayern has done a lot right—at least in terms of how it has handled this sensitive situation internally.