Jamal Musiala has been diagnosed with brief, treatable absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction after the Bayern Munich midfielder collapsed during a match for the second time in four days, but the club says there is no indication the condition will threaten his career.
The 23-year-old Germany international went down six minutes after coming on as a substitute in Bayern's 4-2 friendly victory at second-tier Heidenheim on Tuesday. He received medical attention on the field before being helped from the pitch.
The incident came just three days after Musiala collapsed during Bayern's 3-1 friendly win over RB Leipzig.
Musiala addressed the concerns surrounding his health in an Instagram post after Tuesday's match, saying doctors had diagnosed him with "brief, temporary, but treatable" absence seizures resulting from a neurological dysfunction.
"I understand that many of you are worried. I would like to put those concerns to rest today and explain the situation," Musiala wrote. "I know they might look alarming at first glance, but for me, they are currently part of my everyday life."
He said he was receiving "excellent medical care" and remained optimistic about his recovery.
"FC Bayern and my personal support network are right by my side, helping me through this," Musiala added.
Bayern sources told dpa on Wednesday that Musiala's career is not considered to be at risk and that there is no evidence preventing him from continuing to play at the highest level.
The sources said his involvement in both matches had been discussed extensively with doctors and was considered unproblematic.
The development comes after a difficult year for Musiala, who has already endured a serious ankle injury and a lengthy rehabilitation.
He suffered a broken fibula and severe ankle damage during Bayern's Club World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in July 2025 after a collision with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The injury kept him out for about six months and significantly disrupted a season in which he had been one of Bayern's most important attacking players.
After returning, Musiala struggled to reproduce his previous form and later experienced another pain reaction in the ankle that forced him to take another break.
He was nevertheless selected by Germany for the 2026 World Cup, although he again found it difficult to reach his best level as Germany's campaign ended with a last-32 defeat by Paraguay. He later underwent a minor procedure to remove a metal plate left from his previous ankle surgery.
The latest diagnosis has inevitably raised fresh questions about Musiala's fitness and his role in Bayern's plans, particularly with the German champions preparing for the start of the competitive season.
Bayern will open their campaign Saturday in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund before beginning their Bundesliga title defense at home against VfB Stuttgart on Aug. 28.
The club has not indicated that Musiala will be sidelined for a specific period.
Absence seizures are brief episodes that can cause a sudden lapse in awareness. They are generally short and are more commonly associated with children, although they can occur in adults and can be classified as a form of epilepsy.
Bayern teammates Manuel Neuer and Dayot Upamecano responded to Musiala's health update on social media, offering their support to a player who has endured a difficult period.
Bayern have also strengthened their attacking options during the offseason, signing Morocco international Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven. Saibari can operate in an attacking midfield role, while teenager Lennart Karl and veteran Serge Gnabry could also provide alternatives if Musiala is unavailable.
For now, however, the message from Musiala and Bayern is one of reassurance.
The midfielder, who has made 231 appearances for Bayern, said he is receiving the best available medical care and remains confident about his future.