Uli Hoeneß speaks openly about Jamal Musiala’s illness. The Bayern honorary president questions whether Musiala will return to his former form.
Jamal Musiala is back in team training, but Uli Hoeneß still has questions about his future career. Bayern’s honorary president has commented on the national team player’s illness, making it clear that he is concerned about more than just the timing of Musiala’s next appearance. The question is also whether Musiala can consistently return to his previous level of performance.
On BR’s “Sonntags-Stammtisch,” Hoeneß described the 23-year-old’s situation in remarkably candid terms. “We’re in a dilemma here. He has an illness that isn’t easily curable, but one that can be managed to some extent with medication,” he said.
Musiala had publicly revealed that he suffers from blackouts. Hoeneß left open what long-term athletic consequences the condition might have: “But whether he’ll ever regain the level of performance he once had…” The honorary president did not provide a specific medical prognosis. His words, however, show that the question of Musiala’s former performance level continues to weigh on his mind.
Hoeneß also discusses Musiala’s contract
In this context, Hoeneß also brought up the forward’s contract: “But just imagine if FC Bayern were to question his contract now and say: ‘What he’s capable of now is no longer what was stipulated in the contract.’” He explained that the contract does not address illness. He kept this at a hypothetical example.
Financially, Musiala ranks among the top earners on the Bayern roster. Before Harry Kane’s recent contract extension, he is said to have been the club’s highest-paid player. His estimated earnings are said to be around 25 million euros gross per year.
In the short term, Musiala is working toward his comeback after suffering a torn muscle fiber in his left thigh while playing for the German national team in late September. On Thursday, he rejoined team training. However, he wasn’t yet ready for the away game in Mainz.
“Most of the players trained yesterday. Jamal Musiala has also rejoined the group, which is very positive. But the game is coming too soon for him,” assistant coach Aaron Danks explained on Friday. He did not set a specific date for his return to competitive action.
The progress made in training relates primarily to his recovery from the muscle injury. Hoeneß’s comments regarding the national team player’s illness, however, raise a longer-term question: Can Musiala permanently return to the level that made him one of FC Bayern’s most important players?