Jamal Musiala collapses twice in four days: What are absence seizures?

For the second time in just four days, the sight of Jamal Musiala collapsing on a football pitch has caused serious concern over the health of one of Germany’s biggest stars.

The Bayern Munich attacker lasted only eight minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute during Tuesday’s pre-season friendly against Heidenheim before falling to the ground and requiring medical attention.

It followed an almost identical incident during Bayern’s friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday.

On both occasions, Musiala appeared dazed and unsteady. Against Heidenheim, he was helped from the pitch as concerned team-mates gathered around him.

The images were alarming, particularly coming so soon after the first incident.

However, the 23-year-old has since explained what is happening and, crucially, insists his condition is treatable and that doctors do not believe it should prevent him from continuing his career.

What has happened to Musiala?

Musiala revealed after the second incident that he has been diagnosed with brief absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction.

In a statement on social media, the Germany international said he was doing well and thanked supporters for their messages.

He explained that the episodes are temporary and treatable and said he is receiving specialist medical care. Musiala also stressed that neurologists have cleared him to continue playing football and that he remains optimistic about managing the condition.

For Bayern supporters, that reassurance is important.

Seeing a player suddenly collapse inevitably raises fears about potentially serious underlying health problems. In Musiala’s case, though, the club and the player say specialists have assessed the condition and believe he can continue participating in elite sport.

That does not make the incidents any less unsettling.

Two collapses in four days inevitably raise questions over whether Musiala should be playing while doctors work to control the episodes.

What are absence seizures?

Absence seizures are neurological episodes that cause a temporary interruption in normal brain activity.

Unlike the convulsive seizures many people associate with epilepsy, an absence seizure can be far less dramatic. A person may suddenly stare blankly, become temporarily unresponsive or appear to lose awareness of their surroundings.

Episodes can last only a few seconds before the person returns to normal.

In some cases, however, there can also be physical symptoms such as loss of balance or automatic movements. That can be particularly significant for an elite footballer running at speed.

Repeated seizures can sometimes be associated with epilepsy, although Musiala and Bayern have not announced a specific epilepsy diagnosis.

Most importantly for his football career, absence seizures can often be controlled with medication.

Elite sport is not automatically ruled out either. Once seizures are effectively managed and appropriate medical clearance has been given, athletes can potentially continue competing at the highest level.

Why did Bayern allow him to play again?

That is perhaps the biggest question surrounding Tuesday’s incident.

Musiala had already collapsed against Leipzig on Saturday, yet four days later he was back on the pitch against Heidenheim.

Bayern officials have defended that decision.

Honorary president Uli Hoeness has said the club had been aware of Musiala’s problems before the World Cup, although they had not previously affected him during matches.

After the Leipzig incident, Bayern hoped the medication Musiala was taking would prevent another episode.

Instead, it happened again almost immediately.

Hoeness has stressed that Bayern sought written confirmation from neurologists and other specialists that there were no medical objections to Musiala participating in high-performance sport.

Without that clearance, Bayern say they would not have allowed him to play.

Nevertheless, the second incident appears to have shaken those around the club and highlighted how carefully the situation will now need to be managed.

Kane and Bayern rally around Musiala

Harry Kane has been among the Bayern players offering support.

The England captain acknowledged that his team-mate is going through a difficult period but stressed that the entire squad is behind him.

Musiala remains one of Bayern’s most important players and one of Europe’s most gifted attacking talents.

At just 23, he has already established himself as a major figure for both club and country.

But the past 18 months have been exceptionally difficult.

Another setback after a nightmare injury run

Musiala’s latest health problem comes after a brutal sequence of injuries.

His 2024-25 season ended prematurely in April before he returned in time to participate in the Club World Cup.

Then came a far more serious setback.

During Bayern’s quarter-final against Paris St-Germain, Musiala suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle following a collision with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The injury kept him out for 196 days.

He eventually returned in January 2026 and played with a metal plate in his foot until after this summer’s World Cup.

That plate was removed in July, disrupting another pre-season and limiting his preparation for the new campaign.

Musiala therefore entered the summer already trying to rebuild his fitness after an extraordinarily difficult period.

Now Bayern have another problem to manage.

The arrival of Morocco international Ismael Saibari gives the German champions another attacking midfield option and potentially reduces the pressure to rush Musiala back into regular action.

At this stage, that could prove particularly important.

Could this affect Musiala’s career?

Based on the information currently available, there is no reason to suggest Musiala’s career is in danger.

That is the most important point.

Musiala says his condition is treatable. Bayern say neurologists have cleared him to participate in elite sport. There are also examples of professional athletes successfully managing seizure disorders while continuing their careers.

But there is an obvious difference between being medically permitted to play and being ready to withstand the demands of an entire season.

Bayern will have to monitor Musiala closely.

Medication may need time to be adjusted. Potential triggers will need to be understood. Training loads, hydration, fatigue and recovery could all become part of a much wider management programme.

And after two episodes in four days, Bayern are unlikely to treat another collapse as routine.

Football can wait

Musiala is one of the most exciting players of his generation.

His balance, dribbling and ability to glide between defenders have made him central to Bayern and Germany, and at 23 he should still have the best years of his career ahead of him.

That is precisely why there should be no rush.

Bayern want Musiala back. Germany need him. Supporters understandably want to see one of Europe’s great talents doing what he does best.

But after everything he has endured over the past 18 months, the immediate priority has to be ensuring his condition is properly controlled.

The encouraging news is that Musiala remains optimistic and his doctors believe he can continue playing.

For now, however, every appearance will inevitably be watched a little more closely.

Two collapses in four days have transformed what should have been an ordinary pre-season into another major challenge for Musiala.

This time, the biggest victory will not be getting him back onto the pitch as quickly as possible.

It will be getting him back safely and keeping him there.