ATLANTA – Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala appears to have suffered a serious ankle injury following a collision with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during Saturday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The incident, which occurred during the high-stakes clash between two European powerhouses, left the Italian goalkeeper visibly shaken and reportedly in tears as medical staff rushed to attend to the 22-year-old German international.
While specific details of the collision remain limited, multiple sources confirmed that Musiala’s injury appeared severe, with initial concerns suggesting a possible broken ankle. The nature of the injury raised immediate alarm among Bayern staff and players, casting a shadow over what was expected to be one of the tournament’s most exciting matches.
English referee Anthony Taylor’s handling of the situation has already drawn criticism from observers, though the exact nature of the complaints was not immediately clear. The incident represents a devastating blow for both player and club at a crucial stage of the competition.
The injury comes at a particularly cruel time for Musiala, who had only recently returned to action after recovering from a hamstring tear that had sidelined him since April. The attacking midfielder had been working his way back to full fitness, having missed key fixtures including Bayern’s Champions League exit to Inter Milan.
“It really hurt to watch the [Champions League exit to Inter] on TV without being able to do anything,” Musiala had told German daily Sport Bild during his recovery. “I suffered with the boys. I think we put up a great fight despite the defeats and deserved more.”
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had been cautious with Musiala’s return, bringing him on as a substitute in the 57th minute against Boca Juniors on June 20, only to replace him 25 minutes later. Following that match, Kompany said he “wanted to talk to the doctors first” about the player’s condition.
The young midfielder had expressed excitement about the Club World Cup, calling it a “big goal” and emphasizing the tournament’s importance. “It’s all about prestige, income for the club and a new major title. And we want to win it! I want to be back on the pitch in the USA,” Musiala had enthused before the competition.
Saturday’s quarterfinal represented one of the tournament’s marquee matchups, pitting Champions League winners PSG against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The match, played under the closed roof of the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium to combat Atlanta’s 32-degree Celsius heat, was expected to showcase attacking football from both sides.
Bayern entered the match as slight underdogs despite winning their last four encounters with PSG, all in Champions League competition since 2021. The German side had scored 16 goals in the tournament so far, making them the highest scorers in the competition.
Musiala had already contributed three goals in the tournament alongside teammates Harry Kane and Michael Olise, putting them just one behind eliminated top scorer Ángel Di María of Benfica. His loss represents a significant blow to Bayern’s attacking options, particularly with Leroy Sané having recently departed for Galatasaray and Kingsley Coman nursing his own injury concerns.
The severity of the injury raises serious questions about Musiala’s availability for the remainder of the tournament and potentially the start of the next Bundesliga season. At just 22 years old, Musiala is widely regarded as one of football’s most exciting young talents and a cornerstone of both Bayern Munich and the German national team’s future plans.
Donnarumma’s emotional reaction to the incident underscored its severity. The 26-year-old Italy international, who stands at 6’5″, has been PSG’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout their successful season, which saw them claim their first-ever Champions League title alongside domestic honours.
The collision adds another chapter to the injury concerns that have plagued Musiala’s recent career. Despite his youth, the midfielder has already faced significant time on the sidelines, missing crucial matches for both club and country.
For Bayern Munich, the loss of Musiala could prove pivotal in their Club World Cup ambitions. The tournament represents an opportunity to add another major trophy to their collection and provide a fitting end to what has been a transitional season under Kompany.
The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal was set to face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals at MetLife Stadium in New York on July 9. However, Bayern’s prospects now appear significantly dimmed without one of their key creative forces.
Medical staff were expected to conduct comprehensive assessments to determine the full extent of Musiala’s injury, with an official diagnosis likely to follow in the coming hours. The football world now anxiously awaits news on whether one of the game’s brightest young talents will face an extended spell on the sidelines.
As the tournament continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of football’s physical demands and the fine margins between glory and heartbreak at the highest level of the sport.
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Image credit:
Joshua Zirkzee and Jamal Musiala during the DFL-Supercup match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich (30 July 2022). Photo by Steffen Prößdorf, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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