Hoeness questions whether Musiala can regain top form
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says Jamal Musiala may never reach his previous performance level, while Lothar Matthaus sees the comment as a deliberate motivational challenge.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has raised doubts over whether forward Jamal Musiala will ever return to the performance level he showed before his health problems. The 23-year-old Germany international collapsed twice within four days during pre-season, and it was later disclosed that he has a treatable neurological dysfunction.
Hoeness described the situation as a dilemma, noting that Musiala's condition cannot simply be cured but can be controlled to some extent with medication. He said Bayern will stand behind the player, who is under contract with the club until 2030. Musiala has scored two goals in four games for Bayern in all competitions this season.
Former Bayern and Germany captain Lothar Matthaus offered a different reading of Hoeness's remarks, telling Sky90 that the honorary president was trying to motivate Musiala rather than simply protect him. Matthaus said players sometimes need to face adversity, and that he would treat such a statement as motivation to prove he was back.
Musiala joined Bayern in 2019 after coming through Chelsea's academy and has scored 71 goals with 38 assists in 235 matches for the club since breaking into the team as a 17-year-old. He shared the Golden Boot as joint leading scorer at Euro 2024 and is regarded as one of Germany's youngest internationals.
The forward has not played for Bayern since suffering a hamstring injury in September, though he recently returned to training. The exchange between Hoeness and Matthaus highlights the scrutiny surrounding Musiala's recovery, with the club publicly pledging support while a former captain frames the public comments as a challenge to the player.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
