Musiala reveals absence seizure diagnosis after collapsing twice in four days for Bayern

Jamal Musiala has disclosed he has been diagnosed with treatable absence seizures after collapsing mid-game for the second time in four days during Bayern Munich’s 4-2 pre-season win at Heidenheim on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Germany international came on as a substitute and dropped to the turf just eight minutes after entering the pitch, prompting an immediate response from medical staff.

Harry Kane was widely praised for his quick thinking in the moment. The England captain spotted Musiala going down and gestured to players from both sides to form a protective shield around the midfielder while treatment was administered. Musiala was able to stand and walk off the pitch under his own power.

A similarly alarming incident had occurred four days earlier during Bayern’s 6-0 friendly win over RB Leipzig on Saturday, when Musiala appeared disoriented and began falling before team-mates Ismael Saibari and Joshua Kimmich rushed over to support him.

Following the Heidenheim match, Musiala addressed his situation directly in a post on Instagram. “First things first — I’m doing fine,” he wrote. “I have been diagnosed with temporary, brief, but well-treatable absences (absence seizures) caused by a neurological dysfunction. These can lead to the kind of moments that happened recently, such as against Leipzig or now in Heidenheim. I know these might look scary at first glance — but right now, they’re just part of my daily life.”

Musiala stressed that he is receiving specialist care and that the decision to continue playing was made in close consultation with neurological experts. “Most importantly, there is no additional health risk beyond this,” he wrote. “In close consultation and regular communication with experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge and — with clearance from neurological specialists — to keep focusing on what helps my recovery most: simply living my everyday life and continuing to pursue my passion for playing football. I have taken full responsibility for this decision.”

He added that Bayern Munich and his personal support network have remained by his side throughout, and expressed optimism about his prognosis. “Overall, I feel very good about it and am on the right track,” Musiala wrote.

On social media, fans were quick to highlight Kane’s response to the situation. “Expect nothing less from Harry, classy,” one user posted on X, with another adding: “Kane is class on and off the field.”