In a heart-wrenching moment during Bayern Munich’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals on July 5, 2025, star midfielder Jamal Musiala sustained a severe ankle injury that has left the football world in shock. The incident, which occurred just before halftime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, has cast a shadow over an otherwise competitive match and raised serious concerns about the 22-year-old’s immediate future in the sport.
The injury happened in stoppage time of the first half when Musiala, chasing a loose ball in PSG’s penalty area, collided with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. As Donnarumma dove to secure the ball, his body inadvertently rolled over Musiala’s left leg, causing the young German’s ankle to twist at an unnatural angle. The severity of the injury was immediately apparent, with players from both teams visibly shaken. Bayern’s Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich rushed to Musiala’s side, while PSG’s Donnarumma, overcome with distress, dropped to his knees after witnessing the extent of the damage. Referee Anthony Taylor called for halftime as medical staff attended to Musiala, who was stretchered off the pitch and rushed to a local hospital for evaluation.
According to reports from Sky Germany and German outlet BILD, Musiala has suffered a fractured left fibula and damaged several ligaments, an injury that could sideline him for four to five months. This prognosis represents a significant blow to Bayern Munich, where Musiala has been a pivotal figure, registering 21 goals and eight assists in 44 competitive appearances during the 2024-25 season despite missing 11 games earlier due to a hamstring injury. The Club World Cup match marked his first start in months, following a gradual return to action after that prior setback.
Bayern’s head coach, Vincent Kompany, expressed deep frustration over the incident, stating in a post-match interview with DAZN, “It didn’t look good. My blood is boiling at the moment, but the overwhelming feeling is that I hope it’s not as bad as it looks, and that he will get through this.” Kompany’s anger seemed directed more at the cruel twist of fate than at Donnarumma, whom he described as not having acted intentionally. However, Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and sporting director Max Eberl were less reserved in their criticism of the PSG goalkeeper. Neuer called the challenge “reckless,” noting that Donnarumma should have shown more care and initially failed to check on Musiala, a gesture he later made after Neuer’s prompting. Eberl echoed this sentiment, stating, “If I jump on the lower leg with 100 kilos after a sprint, there’s a high risk something will happen.”
The injury has sparked debate about the tackle’s nature and whether referee Taylor should have reviewed the incident for potential foul play. No immediate action was taken during the match, with Taylor opting not to consult VAR, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from Bayern’s camp and fans alike. Despite the controversy, Donnarumma took to Instagram after the game to express his remorse, writing, “All my prayers and well wishes are with you, Jamal Musiala.”
The match itself saw PSG advance to the Club World Cup semifinals with goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, despite finishing with nine men after red cards to Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández. However, the result was overshadowed by Musiala’s injury, which has left Bayern reeling as they prepare for the 2025-26 Bundesliga season. The club now faces the challenge of filling the void left by their talismanic midfielder, with speculation already swirling about potential transfer market moves to bolster the squad.
Musiala’s teammates were visibly affected, with Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, who was livestreaming a watchalong while recovering from his own ACL injury, capturing widespread attention for his emotional reaction to the incident. The football community has rallied around Musiala, with fans and players alike expressing hope for his swift recovery. As Bayern Munich returns to Germany to regroup, the loss of Musiala, a player described by Kompany as someone who “lives for this sport,” will undoubtedly test the team’s resilience in the months ahead.