Germany legend Lothar Matthäus has issued a stern message to Jamal Musiala, insisting the Bayern Munich midfielder must finally move on from the serious injury that disrupted his career more than a year ago.
The 1990 Ballon d’Or winner told Sky Sports that excuses related to the setback are no longer valid. “At some point, the chapter of the serious injury he suffered more than a year ago has to be closed,” Matthäus said. “He now needs to put it behind him once and for all. That’s absolutely crucial, given the intense competition for places. He’ll probably spend a lot of games on the bench.”
Fresh challengers emerge
Matthäus identified Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl as significant rivals for Musiala’s position, though both players are currently working towards full fitness. The warning comes as Musiala attempts to cement his status as a first-choice option under the incoming regime at the Allianz Arena.
The 65-year-old former World Cup winner acknowledged that Musiala has shown flashes of his potential, citing “promising signs toward the end of last season with Bayern” and “encouraging moments from him at the World Cup.” However, he stressed that past potential counts for little ahead of the new campaign.
Pressure mounts for consistency
“But now there are no more excuses,” Matthäus concluded, raising the stakes for a player widely regarded as one of Germany’s most gifted talents. The comments place renewed pressure on Musiala to deliver sustained performances without referencing the physical and mental toll of his lengthy absence.
With Bayern Munich undergoing transition and squad depth increasing across attacking positions, Musiala faces the most demanding season of his young career. The message from Matthäus is clear: perform consistently or risk watching from the sidelines.