Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala was stretchered off with a serious left leg injury during Saturday’s Club World Cup quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, in a moment that silenced the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The 22-year-old German international collided with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in a 50-50 challenge just before halftime. The immediate reaction from both teams told the story, hands on heads, players turning away, and no replay on the stadium screens out of respect.
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany admitted the images “didn’t look good” and suggested it might be an ankle injury, though medical confirmation is pending. Sporting director Max Eberl confirmed post-match that Musiala was taken to hospital for further assessment.
Musiala entered the match as one of the tournament’s standout performers, with three goals to his name and chasing the Golden Boot. His tally of 20 goals across all competitions this season had marked him as Bayern’s creative heartbeat and a rising global star.
PSG midfielder Désiré Doué, who scored the opener in their eventual 2-0 win, sent heartfelt support: “It’s part of football, but you never want to see this. We hope everything goes well for Jamal.” Teammate Achraf Hakimi echoed the sentiment, calling Musiala “a great player” and wishing him a swift recovery.
The injury not only overshadowed the match, but dealt a blow to Germany and Bayern’s hopes heading into the latter part of the season. Musiala, who was named Germany’s Player of the Year in 2024, has long been seen as the face of their future.
From debuting at 17 to breaking World Cup records, Musiala’s journey has been defined by brilliance. Saturday’s incident was a brutal reminder of football’s fragility and of how quickly dreams can pause, even for its brightest stars.
