Soccer-Bayern's Hoeness unsure whether Musiala can reach top form again

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has questioned ​whether playmaker Jamal Musiala can ever reach ​top form again after being diagnosed ‌with a ​neurological disorder. Musiala, who is close to a comeback from an injury, collapsed twice in a few days in August, including six minutes after ‌coming off the bench in Bayern's 4-2 friendly win at Heidenheim.

He was later diagnosed with a neurological disorder. Musiala broke his leg at the Club World Cup in 2025, missing half of last season before a ‌comeback in early 2026.

He failed to deliver for Germany at the 2026 World Cup as the ‌four-times champions crashed out early, and has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since September. "We are facing a dilemma in this case. He is suffering from an illness that cannot simply be cured, but it can be controlled to a certain ⁠extent with ​the use of medication," ⁠Hoeness, Bayern's influential honorary president, told Bavarian broadcaster BR.

"But whether he will have the same performance potential that he had... ⁠Imagine if Bayern were now to question his contract and say that what he is capable of delivering now ​is no longer what is in the contract." Musiala is far from his pre-2025 best form, which ⁠included claiming the Golden Boot as joint top scorer at Euro 2024.

For Lothar Matthaeus, the former Bayern and Germany captain, ⁠Hoeness' ​words are his way of pushing the player. "Uli is taking a little stab at him and he is trying to get under his skin a bit. It's part of the process not just ⁠to wrap him in cotton wool, but also to let him face a bit of adversity," Matthaeus ⁠told broadcaster Sky.

“With that ⁠statement, Uli was deliberately trying to provoke a reaction. If I were in Jamal’s position, that would be motivation enough for me to show Uli ‌that I’m back. ‌And that would make Uli happy."