Julian Nagelsmann says he was "in shock" after seeing Jamal Musiala's horrific injury as the Bayern Munich star has been ruled out for months.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Musiala stretchered off in Club WC clashBayern confirm fractured fibula, surgery requiredGermany lose midfield star for qualifiersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
During Bayern’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta, Musiala collided with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and sustained a broken fibula and an ankle injury. He was stretchered off in tears, and Bayern later confirmed that the 22-year-old will undergo surgery and be sidelined for several months. It was his first start since returning from a muscle issue, making the timing especially cruel.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The injury is not just a blow to the Bavarians, who were eliminated from the Club World Cup, but also to Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign. Musiala, seen as one half of Germany’s creative future alongside Florian Wirtz, will likely miss the remaining World Cup qualifiers to be played this year. German coach Nagelsmann now faces a major challenge in navigating qualification without his star playmaker and felt a "huge shock" after the injury.
WHAT JULIAN NAGELSMANN SAID
Nagelsmann reacted with deep concern after the setback, offering strong words of support for the Bayern star. He said: "Jamal's injury is a huge shock for all of us. He had only just fought his way back onto the pitch following his muscle injury. Our thoughts are with him. Jamal can count on the support of all of us in the national team. We wish him all the best for the operation and a good and speedy recovery. That’s the most important thing right now."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MUSIALA AND GERMANY?
Musiala is most likley to miss six international fixtures through the rest of 2025, including crucial qualifiers against Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. Germany will have to rely more heavily on players like Wirtz, who himself has struggled with injuries. Nagelsmann’s focus will now shift to ensuring qualification without his midfield linchpin while hoping Musiala can return to fitness in time to be part of the pre-World Cup preparations in 2026.