Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has revealed that a recent change in medication was responsible for two collapses suffered by midfielder Jamal Musiala during friendly matches in the space of four days.
Musiala, 23, went down during pre-season friendlies against RB Leipzig and Heidenheim, sparking concern among fans and observers. Earlier this week, the German international explained publicly that he is being treated for a "neurological dysfunction" that produces "temporary, brief, but easily treatable" seizures, adding that these episodes have become part of his everyday life.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's German Supercup clash with Borussia Dortmund, Kompany clarified that the club had been aware of signs of Musiala's condition even before last season began, and that indications were present prior to the World Cup as well. Despite this, the coach noted the issue had not previously affected the player's performances on the pitch.
According to Kompany, the two recent collapses stemmed from a minor adjustment to Musiala's ongoing treatment plan. "He made a slight change to his treatment, which caused some side effects. It's perfectly normal to make changes to a treatment plan," Kompany said, stressing that such adjustments are routine in managing long-term medical conditions.
The Bayern boss also revealed he had spoken directly with Musiala about going public with the information. "I spoke with Jamal, he said, 'no problem, you can say it'," Kompany recounted. He added that the initial alarm within the club had passed some time ago and that the situation is no longer a major topic of daily discussion internally. "The initial shock for us was a long time ago. Therefore, we're not talking about it that much at the moment. We've received much more information since then and made decisions with the help of leading experts. Jamal has everyone's support," he said.
Musiala's episodes appear consistent with what medical experts describe as absence seizures, a form of generalised seizure that predominantly affects children and young adults. Dr Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, explained that there are two categories: typical and atypical absence seizures.
Typical absence seizures generally last only a few seconds, during which the affected person may appear to be daydreaming or staring blankly, according to Dr Sidhu. She noted that such seizures involve varying degrees of lost awareness, which can cause a person to lose balance or become momentarily unresponsive. "It can be very short-lasting, and the person can continue like nothing happened," she said. Atypical absence seizures, by contrast, tend to last longer and may be accompanied by involuntary movements such as hand fidgeting, eyelid fluttering, or lip smacking, and in some cases can lead to falls.
Dr Sidhu also pointed out that if these episodes recur multiple times within a 24-hour period, it could signal epilepsy, though the condition is generally manageable with medication. She emphasised the importance of identifying potential triggers, noting that for athletes, factors such as hyperventilation and dehydration can play a role. Crucially, she said that with proper treatment, there is no reason such seizures should prevent someone from continuing to compete in sport.
Musiala is not the first elite athlete to manage this type of condition. English rugby player Tommy Freeman began experiencing absence seizures at age 14 and was later diagnosed with epilepsy. He now controls the condition through medication while continuing his career with Northampton Saints and the England national rugby team.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.