Bayern Rocked as Jamal Musiala Faces Months Out with Broken Ankle

Horror Club World Cup injury rules Bayern Munich star Musiala out for 4-5 months

Bayern Munich’s worst fears have been confirmed. Star playmaker Jamal Musiala is set to miss a large chunk of the 2025-26 season after suffering a devastating ankle break during his side’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta.

The 22-year-old Germany international, only just back from a previous muscular injury, now faces an extended spell on the sidelines after what appeared to be a freak collision in the dying moments of the first half. As he lay on the turf, clutching his leg in agony, Bayern supporters around the world held their breath. But it didn’t take long for the grim reality to settle in.

The incident that silenced Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Musiala, starting for the first time since April, was chasing a 50-50 ball inside the box when he collided with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. As the two clashed, Musiala’s left ankle got caught awkwardly under the Italian’s body weight, twisting at a sickening angle.

Medical staff rushed onto the pitch immediately, and although he was stretchered off with his foot in a brace, the concern was written across every Bayern face—most of all his coach’s.

“You never want to see that happen,” said Vincent Kompany, visibly shaken after the game. “His health is the only thing that matters right now. But yes, my blood is boiling.”

Diagnosis confirmed: Multiple ligament damage and broken fibula

Initial reports out of Germany confirmed the severity. According to BILD, Musiala has fractured his left fibula and torn several ankle ligaments. The prognosis is bleak: he’s expected to miss at least four to five months of action.

That means the silky midfielder, widely tipped as one of the brightest talents in world football, is likely to miss the start of Bayern’s Bundesliga title defence, the opening rounds of the Champions League, and Germany’s autumn friendlies ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Christoph Freund, Bayern’s sporting director, kept his update brief but ominous: “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good. We’ll support Jamal with everything he needs, but it’s a serious injury.”

A brutal blow at a critical time

Olise Musiala

The timing could hardly be worse for Bayern. Musiala had just been handed the iconic No.10 shirt, following Leroy Sane’s departure, a symbolic passing of the creative torch within the squad. With big expectations and renewed fitness, he was set to be central to Kompany’s plans in this new era of Bayern football.

Now, Kompany must face the opening phase of the new season without his most gifted technician, a player capable of unlocking even the deepest defensive blocks with his dribbling, vision and creativity. In many ways, Musiala is the beating heart of Bayern’s attacking blueprint. His absence will be felt not just in numbers, but in rhythm, in flow, in confidence.

Musiala’s injury record raises concerns

Jamal Musiala

While still young, injury setbacks are beginning to pile up for Musiala. This latest ankle injury comes just weeks after his return from a long-term thigh issue that disrupted his 2024-25 campaign. That season was already patchy—just 19 Bundesliga appearances, a handful of Champions League cameos, and little consistency.

Musiala is no stranger to the rehab room, and Bayern’s medical staff will be cautious in plotting his return. For a player whose game is built on explosiveness, balance and agility, ankle stability is everything. Rushing him back would be a dangerous move.

PSG defeat adds salt to the wound

Bayern’s 2-0 loss to PSG in the Club World Cup was already a bitter pill to swallow. Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sent the German champions home early, leaving Kompany’s men to pick up the pieces after what was supposed to be a showcase tournament.

Musiala’s injury overshadowed everything. “The result didn’t even matter anymore,” said one Bayern staffer. “All we were thinking about was Jamal.”

What now for Bayern Munich?

The injury forces Kompany to rethink his midfield setup just as pre-season preparations begin. Thomas Müller, approaching the twilight of his career, may now be asked to take on more minutes. There’s also a chance for Aleksandar Pavlovic or new signing Arijon Ibrahimovic to step into the void, though expecting them to replicate Musiala’s influence is a tall order.

The club may also be tempted into the transfer market. With Sane gone, Musiala injured, and limited depth in the attacking midfield area, a loan or short-term signing could be on the table.

Bayern fans will be keeping a close eye on developments in the coming weeks, especially as the Bundesliga kicks off in mid-August, followed shortly by the Champions League group stage draw. Without Musiala, Bayern’s ambitions—both domestic and European—take a significant hit.

Musiala’s road to recovery begins again

For Jamal Musiala, it’s another mental and physical mountain to climb. Still only 22, he has already experienced the highs of winning the Bundesliga, playing in a World Cup, and dazzling the Allianz Arena on countless nights. But this new setback will test his resolve like never before.

Support has poured in from teammates, fans, and fellow professionals across the game. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Jamal Musiala—it’s that he’s a fighter. He’ll be back. But for now, Bayern Munich must learn how to live without their golden boy.