Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has been diagnosed with absence seizures after collapsing twice during the club's 2026 preseason matches [1, 2].
The disclosure comes as the German international seeks to manage a neurological condition that caused sudden lapses in consciousness during high-intensity play. Because Musiala is a central figure for both his club and the German national team, his health status carries significant implications for the upcoming season.
Musiala, 23 [2], experienced the first collapse during a match against RB Leipzig [1, 2]. He suffered a second collapse three days later on a Tuesday during a game against Heidenheim [1, 2]. The two incidents occurred within a span of four days [1].
Medical evaluations following the collapses identified absence seizures as the cause [1, 2]. These seizures are a form of epilepsy that can cause a person to briefly lose awareness of their surroundings, often appearing as a momentary stare or a sudden loss of muscle tone.
The midfielder's condition became public after the repeat occurrences during the preseason tour. While the specific details of his treatment plan have not been released, the diagnosis provides a medical explanation for the episodes that left the player incapacitated on the pitch [1, 2].
Bayern Munich has not provided a specific timeline for Musiala's return to full competition. The club's medical staff continues to monitor the player to ensure his safety during match play. This diagnosis marks a rare public disclosure of a neurological condition by an active elite athlete at the peak of his career [1, 2].
“Jamal Musiala has been diagnosed with absence seizures after collapsing twice during the club's 2026 preseason matches.”
The diagnosis of absence seizures introduces a complex management challenge for Bayern Munich and the German national team. Unlike acute injuries, neurological conditions require ongoing monitoring and potential medication that can impact an athlete's physical performance or reaction times. Musiala's transparency may also raise awareness about epilepsy in professional sports, where sudden collapses are often initially misattributed to exhaustion or cardiac events.
