Medication switch behind Musiala collapses - Bayern
August 21, 2026 13:21
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala suffered two brief collapses during pre-season friendlies — against RB Leipzig and then Heidenheim — and head coach Vincent Kompany has attributed those incidents in part to a minor recent change in his medication. The club says Musiala is being treated for a neurological condition that produces short, treatable seizure episodes; he was unavailable for the German Supercup and will train individually this week.
Kompany and sporting director Max Eberl have stressed the club’s support and said the team had been aware of signs of the condition before the World Cup and prior to last season. Bayern say they have consulted leading experts and are managing Musiala’s care accordingly.
KEY CONTEXT
- Musiala himself has described on social media that these seizure episodes have become part of his everyday life.
- Bayern confirmed they had seen indications of the condition before the World Cup and that players in the squad also knew about it during the previous season.
- Neurologist Dr Meneka Sidhu (National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London) explained to the BBC that typical absence seizures are usually very short, can look like blanking out or daydreaming, may cause loss of awareness and sometimes loss of balance, and that repeated episodes over more than 24 hours can suggest epilepsy; such seizures are treatable with medication.
- The report notes elite athletes have managed similar conditions, citing rugby player Tommy Freeman as an example who controls his absence seizures with tablets while playing professionally.
WHY IT MATTERS
Musiala is a key contributor to Bayern’s attack (the club lists him with 69 goals and 37 assists), so how his condition is managed will affect his availability and the team’s planning. Medical adjustments can cause short-term side effects, as Kompany indicated, and identifying effective treatment and trigger avoidance is central to keeping a player fit to compete. Bayern’s involvement of specialists and a cautious approach to training and selection reflect the club prioritising player welfare while maintaining sporting objectives.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Monitor Bayern’s medical updates on Musiala’s treatment plan and whether further medication changes are made.
- Follow his individual training this week and any reports on his readiness for Bayern’s Bundesliga opener against Stuttgart.
- Watch for official selection announcements for upcoming matches and any further statements from club medical staff or specialists.
KEY FACTS
- Musiala collapsed twice in four days during pre-season friendlies (RB Leipzig and Heidenheim).
- Kompany said a slight change in medication contributed to those collapses.
- Bayern say they were aware of signs before the World Cup and during last season; players were informed.
- Musiala was ruled out of the Supercup and will train individually this week.
- Neurologist Dr Meneka Sidhu described typical absence seizures as short, possibly causing blanking out or falls, and noted they are treatable; triggers can include hyperventilation and dehydration.
- The report mentions rugby player Tommy Freeman as an athlete managing similar seizures with medication.