In a statement published on the club’s official website, fcbayern.com, the medical report regarding the injury sustained by the 22-year-old forward was released. The report confirmed that Musiala suffered a sustained fracture of the fibula, along with a broken and dislocated ankle, requiring surgery.

“Jamal Musiala suffered a serious injury during the Club World Cup quarter-final between FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain in the USA and had to be substituted at half-time. Examinations by the German champions’ doctors have revealed that the attacking midfielder sustained a fracture of the fibula associated with a broken and dislocated ankle. The 22-year-old flew from Orlando to Munich on Sunday morning and will undergo surgery soon.”

Although nothing has been officially confirmed, it is widely believed that the talented player will be sidelined for an extended period, leaving Kompany without one of his key figures for several months.

A heartbreaking exit

Saturday was a tough day all around for Bayern Munich, marked by multiple setbacks. Not only did the club suffer a devastating injury to one of its star players, but it also fell to PSG, ending its hopes of advancing further in the tournament.

Late goals from Doue and Dembele sealed the defeat for the German side, who struggled to contain the relentless attacks from Luis Enrique’s team. With this loss, Bayern’s journey in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup comes to an end.

While it’s true that the reigning Bundesliga champions have shown flashes of quality on the pitch, the reality is that their main objective was, at the very least, to reach the semifinals of the tournament — a goal they ultimately failed to achieve.

Despite Donnarumma insisting to teammates and Bayern Munich players that he had no intention of injuring the 22-year-old midfielder, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl did not hold back in his post-match comments, calling out the Italian keeper for recklessness.

“If I jump on someone’s leg while they’re running, and I weigh 100 kilos, there’s a high risk that something will happen,” Eberl said bluntly during a press conference following Bayern’s defeat.

While Eberl made it clear he didn’t believe Donnarumma had malicious intent, he still placed the blame on the PSG goalkeeper: “I don’t think he did it intentionally, but he certainly didn’t take any precautions”.

Manuel Neuer also criticizes Donnarumma’s actions

Veteran Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also addressed the incident, echoing Eberl’s concerns and questioning Donnarumma’s decision-making. “It’s a situation where you don’t need to go in like that. It’s risky. He’s willing to accept the risk of injuring his opponent,” Neuer said.

“I approached him and told him, ‘Don’t you want to go check on our player?’ It’s just about respect—go over and wish him well. And he did. Justice is always part of the game. I would’ve reacted differently,” he added.

Musiala faces extended spell on the sidelines

“Musiala had to be taken off the field due to injury. We’re with you, Jamal!” read a message posted by Bayern Munich shortly after the incident. While official medical results are still pending, early reports suggest the Germany international may have suffered a fractured tibia and fibula—an injury that would sideline him for months and deal a major blow to both club and country.

In a brief but heartfelt message on his official Instagram account, the Italian national team player shared a strong message of support for his fellow player—making it clear that the collision was unintentional and the result of a chance play during the match.

“All my prayers and well wishes are with you @jamalmusiala10,” Donnarumma posted via @donnarumma, accompanying it with a praying hands emoji.

After the unfortunate play that left the Luis Enrique-led team’s GK visibly saddened, his teammates supported him not only emotionally but also on the field, managing to push through and secure a spot among the tournament’s final four.

What happened to Musiala?

The day couldn’t have ended worse for Bayern Munich—not only due to their elimination at the hands of PSG in the quarterfinals but also because of the visibly serious injury suffered by one of their key players, Jamal Musiala.

In a completely accidental incident during the game, the German player collided with goalkeeper Donnarumma, and after falling to the ground, a harsh image showed one of his ankles severely affected.

Although there is still no definitive prognosis, based on the televised images, the injury appears to be serious, and the player could potentially be sidelined for a long time.

Bayern Munich arrived at the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 facing a tough challenge. The German side had to take on PSG, the current UEFA Champions League winners and favorites to lift the trophy in this tournament.

After a closely contested first 45 minutes, both squads were preparing to head to the locker rooms to regroup for the second half. However, things took a dramatic turn when Bayern Munich lost Jamal Musiala to a serious injury suffered on the final play of the first half.

Watch: Jamal Musiala collides with PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and suffers severe ankle injury

Terrible news struck Bayern Munich during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals. At the end of the first half against PSG, the German club lost star midfielder Jamal Musiala to a severe ankle injury following a collision with Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In the final action of the half, Musiala attempted to win the ball in PSG’s box. Defender William Pacho stepped in to cover him and gave a soft push, not noticing that Donnarumma was sliding in from behind to collect the ball.

The timing was disastrous. As Donnarumma slid in, Musiala’s ankle got trapped beneath the goalkeeper’s body, twisting awkwardly in a gruesome and difficult-to-watch moment.

While Bayern Munich has yet to provide an official medical update, early signs suggest Musiala may have suffered a broken ankle. He was immediately taken off the pitch, and the timeline for his recovery will be determined in the coming hours.

Neither Müller nor Musiala is believed to be carrying an injury, leading to speculation that head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a tactical adjustment or is managing minutes in a demanding tournament schedule. The German champions boast considerable depth, but leaving two of their most experienced and dynamic playmakers on the bench is sure to prompt further scrutiny—especially if the match doesn’t go their way.

Kompany may look to introduce both players off the bench depending on how the match unfolds. Bayern began the tournament in dominant form, routing Auckland City 10–0, but Boca present a very different challenge with their organized backline and fierce competitive spirit.

How Boca Juniors enter the match

Boca Juniors come into this critical clash under pressure after a 2–2 draw with Benfica in their tournament opener. While they showed moments of promise, defensive lapses and missed opportunities proved costly. Now, with Bayern Munich looming, Boca must elevate their performance if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Adding to the challenge is the absence of veteran striker Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan star is sidelined after aggravating a previous calf injury, which has extended his recovery timeline. Although Cavani has been eager to return, he has not resumed full training with the squad. Boca’s medical staff remains hopeful he could be available for the final group-stage match against Auckland City on June 24.

Confirmed lineups

Bayern Munich head into the match without Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala in their starting XI—two key absences that immediately drew attention. Head coach Vincent Kompany has opted for a rotated squad, with an eye on managing player fitness amid a packed tournament schedule.

Bayern’s confirmed starting lineup: Manuel Neuer; Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanišić, Raphaël Guerreiro; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman; Harry Kane.

On the other side, Boca Juniors—missing Edinson Cavani up front—will line up as follows: Agustín Marchesín; Luis Advíncula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Nicolás Valentini, Lautaro Blanco; Rodrigo Battaglia, Esteban Rolón, Kevin Zenón; Alan Velasco, Carlos Palacios; Miguel Merentiel.

A perennial contender due to its wealth of talent, Bayern Munich is anticipated to secure a victory in its opening match. With Harry Kane taking on the role of main forward, head coach Vincent Kompany is set to deploy his strategy with full force, aiming for a winning start to the tournament.

Despite key absences beyond Musiala and Sane, such as Erik Dier, who is sidelined for this clash, Bayern is determined to delight its fan base gathered in the United States. Nevertheless, there has been a buzz surrounding Musiala and Sané’s absence from this initial game.

Why are Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane not starting for Bayern Munich?

Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane are absent from Bayern Munich’s starting lineup today due to tactical decisions. In Sane’s case, his recent signing agreement with Galatasaray means he is playing his final matches for the German club in this tournament. Reports indicate that Bayern arranged for this accommodation with the Turkish side as part of the transfer.

As a result, Kompany will field a mixed starting XI, preserving regular starters for tougher challenges ahead in the tournament, considering the relatively low threat posed by Auckland City. This strategic choice also provides key players some needed rest following the season’s conclusion.

Bayern Munich starting lineup

In light of absences like Erik Dier on defense, Jonathan Tah will step in, marking his first appearance in a Bayern jersey. Additionally, Kim Min-jae is unavailable due to an Achilles tendon injury, prompting Kompany to utilize a blend of youthful talent and veteran experience for this encounter.

Bayern Munich starting XI against Auckland City:

• Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
• Defenders: Sacha Boey, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanisic, Rafael Guerreiro;
• Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Michael Olise
• Forwards: Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman, Harry Kane

Jamal Musiala delivered a standout performance in Bayern’s 4-2 victory over Heidenheim on Bundesliga Matchday 13, scoring twice. His performance not only captured the attention of fans but also earned high praise from Bayern Munich’s executive director, Max Eberl, who boldly compared Musiala to the two soccer giants.

“I think of Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid—those were players who could decide games single-handedly. Jamal can do that too. We know that,” Eberl said, underscoring the club’s belief in Musiala’s ability to become one of soccer’s biggest stars.

Eberl also highlighted the support Musiala receives from Bayern Munich’s collective setup, which is crucial to his development. “He benefits from being in a team that plays to his strengths, with many top-tier players around him. And he has the ability to score goals, which is invaluable,” he added. “Of course, we’re lucky to have Harry Kane, who can do the same, but with him currently injured, Jamal has stepped up. His quality is unbelievable. We all know how good he is.”

Coach also places confidence in Musiala

Bayern Munich head coach, Vincent Kompany, was also asked about Jamal Musiala’s growing importance to the team. Drawing on the legacy of soccer icons, he remarked, “Wasn’t Real Madrid dependent on Ronaldo? Wasn’t Barcelona dependent on Messi?” He agreed with Max Eberl’s comparison, underscoring the massive potential Musiala holds in Bayern’s future.

However, Kompany made an important distinction when comparing Musiala to the two legends. “Those two players have won countless Ballon d’Ors. Jamal hasn’t achieved that yet, but we will do everything we can to help him reach that level,” he clarified, emphasizing the club’s commitment to nurturing Musiala’s growth.

Musiala’s impressive career

At just 21 years old, Jamal Musiala has already cemented his place among the elite of world soccer. He made his official debut for Bayern Munich at the age of 17 in 2020, quickly becoming a key player for the team. To date, Musiala has scored 55 goals in 182 appearances for the club.

His rapid rise saw Musiala become the youngest player to feature in a major tournament for the German national team at UEFA Euro 2021. Since then, Musiala has been a fixture for Germany, representing his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024.

Recently, FIFA nominated him as one of the attacking players for the 2024 Dream Team at The Best Awards, further cementing his status as one of soccer’s brightest talents. With his continued development and drive, Musiala has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of Messi and Ronaldo. Whether he will fulfill this potential remains to be seen, but the future certainly looks bright for the young German star.

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham emerged victorious. But unlike many other stars, Messi didn’t pick him in first place. Instead, the Argentine superstar first vote went for Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich.

Messi’s next choice was former Barcelona teammate Pedri, with Bellingham in third place. The English midfielder had a fantastic performance at the 2022 World Cup, before leaving Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid in the summer.

While he didn’t lead Messi’s list, Bellingham was voted as the primary candidate by many other legends. Ronaldo, Kaka, Zidane, Blokhin, Van Basten, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Nedved Shevchenko, Cannavaro, Modric and Figo went for the Birmingham product.

Messi sees a great generation of young players

In his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, Messi made it clear how highly he thinks of the younger generation that is taking the spotlight in world soccer. In an interview with L’Equipe, not only did he admit this may have been his last award, but also named which players could win it from now on.

“There may be a very beautiful rivalry in the coming years with players like Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius and many young players competing for the Ballon d’Or. I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young and now plays for Barcelona, ​​will play a prominent role and fight for it in the future too. There will certainly be others competing for it, new players that we do not know will appear, because there are always new players. And I think it will be a very beautiful era to enjoy,” he said.

Erling Haaland was the biggest rival in Messi’s pursuit for an eighth Ballon d’Or, as the Norwegian striker recorded an impressive 52 goals for Manchester City last season. Leo admitted Haaland also deserved it, claiming he will probably win it in the next few years.

Is Bellingham a future Ballon d’Or winner?

Bellingham’s fantastic start to life in Spain, with 13 goals in 14 appearances, makes one wonder how far he can go. Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, for instance, already imagines him as a Ballon d’Or winner.

“The sky is the limit for him if he keeps doing what he is doing,” Bale told Sky Sports. “I haven’t seen a lot, but he has made a great start, scoring a lot of goals which is important at a club like Madrid. He’s doing well. I hope he keeps on going and makes Britain proud.”

His recent Kopa Trophy success suggests Bellingham could challenge for the biggest individual prize in the years to come. But of course, he will face competition. Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius may lead the debate, but younger players such as Pedri or Gavi could also be in the mix.