Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has revealed that neurologists provided written confirmation that midfielder Jamal Musiala was cleared to play following two on-pitch collapses within a four-day span. Musiala, 23, disclosed on Tuesday that he is undergoing treatment for a "neurological dysfunction" that has caused the incidents.
Musiala fell to the ground six minutes after entering the pitch during Bayern's 4-2 victory over Heidenheim in a pre-season friendly. Teammates, including Harry Kane, quickly formed a protective barrier around him. Musiala received medical attention and appeared dazed before being helped off the field.
This incident followed a similar collapse during Bayern's 3-1 friendly win against RB Leipzig in warm conditions on Saturday. Footage from that match showed Musiala looking disoriented after scoring, requiring assistance to avoid falling.
In a statement, Musiala explained he has been diagnosed with "brief, temporary - but treatable - absence seizures resulting from a neurological dysfunction." He added that these episodes can lead to the alarming incidents seen in recent matches. Musiala emphasized that he is receiving excellent medical care, remains optimistic, and has the full support of FC Bayern and his personal network.
Hoeness told Sky and RTL on Wednesday that an agreement was in place for Musiala to go public with his condition if another collapse occurred. He confirmed the club was aware of Musiala's health issue and had sought medical clearance.
"We've been aware of the problems for some time now," Hoeness said. "Against Leipzig, it happened for the first time on the pitch, and it was visible to everyone. At that point, we thought, 'If it doesn't happen again so quickly, then the medication he's taking will help.' But when it happened again four days later, in the same way, it completely floored me."
Hoeness expressed his shock at the recurrence, stating, "I was speechless, which is rare for me. We were expecting everything but this recurrence of these problems. It's a tragedy, especially for Jamal."
He further explained the club's diligence. "The treating physicians, the neurologists, gave us written confirmation, because it was absolutely essential for us that, from their perspective, there were no concerns about Jamal participating in high-performance sports. Without that, we would have been acting negligently. Since we received this written confirmation, we've been sleeping a bit more soundly. But to be honest, I'm speechless and without a real solution."
Musiala himself stated that there is "no further health risk involved" and that it was his "personal wish to face this challenge; with the medical clearance of the neurologists." He expressed a desire to continue playing football, which he believes aids his recovery, and has taken responsibility for this decision.
Hoeness added that Bayern Munich has offered Musiala their "unconditional support" and is actively seeking ways to manage the situation. He acknowledged that the club was unprepared for such a development and is now learning how to address it. While occasional prior indications of problems existed, they had not occurred within the club before these recent incidents, presenting a significant challenge primarily for Musiala as an individual.
Musiala indicated that he hopes his explanation will alleviate concerns and asked for understanding regarding his wish to keep the matter private, sharing it only with his closest circle, the club, and medical experts. He aims to continue pursuing victories and titles with his team, supported by the fans.