Two collapses in four days - what's happening to Musiala?

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala collapsed twice in four days during pre-season friendlies, first against RB Leipzig and then again after coming on as a substitute against Heidenheim. The 23-year-old was helped by teammates on both occasions, and the club later said he had been cleared to play by medical specialists before the second match.

Musiala said on Instagram that he is dealing with “absence seizures” linked to a neurological dysfunction, and Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness said the club had been aware of related health issues for some time. Hoeness also said doctors and neurologists had provided written confirmation that there were no concerns about Musiala taking part in high-performance sport. The article says supporters had questioned whether it was appropriate for him to return so soon after the first collapse.

The BBC explains, using medical context from a neurologist, that absence seizures are brief episodes that can affect awareness, balance and responsiveness, and that repeated episodes over more than 24 hours can fall under epilepsy. It adds that, when properly managed, the condition does not necessarily prevent an athlete from competing. The report also places this latest setback in the context of a difficult 18 months for Musiala, including injury, a traffic accident and a broken leg that limited his preparation for the new season.