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Image source, Getty Images
Musiala was injured in a challenge by Donnarumma in first-half stoppage time
Having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of the final month of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga campaign, Jamal Musiala looks set for another prolonged spell on the sidelines.
In what was his first start since early April, Musiala suffered a serious ankle injury in Bayern's 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final defeat by Paris St-Germain.
At the end of an entertaining but goalless first half at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Musiala was caught by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing down an overhit Michael Olise pass near the byeline.
Germany international Musiala emerged from the challenge screaming in agony and clutching his left ankle, while several players – including the distraught Donnarumma – had to avert their eyes as the Bayern physios sprinted on to the pitch.
"He has had to go to hospital," Bayern manager Vincent Kompany told DAZN. "It didn't look good. The overwhelming feeling is hopefully it's not as bad as it looks and he gets through this one.
"I've rarely been so angry at half-time, not with the players. For these youngsters [like Musiala], it's their life. A guy like Jamal lives for this.
"My blood boils at that moment, the fact that it happened to a guy who loves this sport and is very important to our team."
German football expert Raphael Honigstein said: "The Bayern Munich players were evidently rattled and you could see maybe it took some time, when they came out from half-time, to readjust and find their focus again.
"He's a player that is so important to Bayern. It's bad for Bayern and for him to miss what I'm sure will be a few months at the very least."
'Something you don't want to see on the field'
Image source, Getty Images
PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma looked distraught after realising the severity of Musiala's injury
Despite missing 11 games through injury this season, Musiala was still one of Bayern's most influential players in 2024-25, registering 29 goal involvements – 21 goals and eight assists - in 44 competitive appearances.
The club recently confirmed he will inherit Bayern's iconic number 10 shirt from the departing Leroy Sane next term, enabling him to follow in the footsteps of club legends Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthaus and Arjen Robben.
Having scored a hat-trick off the bench in Bayern's 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City in their opening Club World Cup group game, Musiala was hoping to kick on against PSG in Atlanta – but the 22-year-old's evening was cruelly cut short.
"It's important we talk about Musiala," said PSG and former Dortmund right-back Achraf Hakimi. "I want to give my support to him. We hope to see him back on the pitch soon."
Ousmane Dembele – who netted PSG's second goal after Desire Doue's opener – also said his thoughts are with the Germany international.
"Shout out to Jamal Musiala," he said. "[The injury] is something you don't want to see on the field."
PSG boss Luis Enrique opened his post-match press conference by wishing Musiala a speedy recovery, saying: "It was a difficult match and he was unlucky."
