Operation in Munich
© Imago
This article was first published on July 5 and was updated on the Sunday after FC Bayern’s confirmation and a statement by national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
FC Bayern confirmed Jamal Musiala’s serious injury to Paris Saint-Germain. On Sunday, the Munich team reported a break of the calf bone as part of an ankle luxation. The 22-year-old midfield star will probably be missing for four to five months after the horror scene in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
“This serious injury and the long failure are a real shock for Jamal and all of us,” said Max Eberl, sports director of FC Bayern, on Sunday. “This affects FC Bayern. Everyone knows how immensely Jamal is for our game and what a central role he has for our team. In addition, the human scope is extremely bitter, we all feel with him: Jamal just came from an injury and will now be missing again for a long time. He will get everything he needs. We will accompany him intensively and be at his side and are already looking back on the pitch.”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann also reacted with dismay. “Jamal’s injury is a big shock for all of us. After he had just fought back on the pitch after his muscle injury. Our thoughts are with him.” Musiala is expected to be able to play a international match this year and thus miss the complete World Cup qualification of the national team. The DFB team plays two games each in September, October and November. Opponents are Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. The group winner secures the direct ticket for the final round 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The quarter-final off of Munich had overshadowed the bad-looking injury of Musiala. A few seconds before the half-time whistle, the Bayern star had badly twisted his left leg in a campaign against PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and defender Willian Pacho. Bayern managers spoke of a break early on. Sports Director Eberl also spoke of an operation, possibly even in the USA. On Sunday, however, the club confirmed that Musiala had already made its way from Orlando to Munich in the morning and is supposed to be operated on there.
Hard new criticism of Donnarumma after Musiala injury
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer criticized his goalkeeper colleague Donnarumma with clear words and allegations after the serious injury of Musiala. “It was a situation where you don’t necessarily have to go in,” said the 39-year-old.
“This is already risky, when you simply accept the violation of the opponent or teammate,” said Neuer on the action of Donnarumma, who not only defended the ball at his rescue act, but also cleared away Musiala.
Germany’s record goalkeeper was also annoyed by how Donnarumma reacted on the pitch. It was seen that he also looked shocked when Musiala was lying on the floor and had to be treated before he was removed with a tag. It was the last action before the break whistle.
“I went to him,” said Neuer. He told the PSG keeper: “Don’t you even want to go there? The Jamal is there, it will probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury. It just belongs to going out of respect, wishing him all the best and leaving a little sorry.” Donnarma’s concern on the field questioned Neuer: “Italians are very emotional. Everyone has to decide whether it is taken away from him. I would have reacted differently.”
“Such situations happen in football,” said Neuer in principle about Musiala’s injury: “You shouldn’t assume anything bad. But it’s a hard blow for us.” Donnarumma reacted after the game via Instagram. “All of my prayers and good wishes are with you, Jamal Musiala,” he wrote.