Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala could face another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury during a 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup quarter-final.
The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, marked Musiala’s first start in months after recently recovering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out since April.
The injury occurred just before half-time as Musiala chased a long pass near the corner of the pitch.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma rushed out and accidentally collided with him. Musiala fell to the ground, screaming in pain, with his left ankle appearing badly dislocated.
The distressing moment stunned players on the pitch, some turned away, covering their faces.
Donnarumma, visibly shaken, sat on the turf with his face buried in his shirt and appeared close to tears. At the break, he didn’t head to the dressing room immediately but instead walked over to speak with some Bayern players and check on Musiala.
Fans in the stadium expressed their displeasure, booing Donnarumma during the second half.
Despite missing 11 games earlier this season due to injury, Musiala had been one of Bayern’s standout performers, netting 21 goals and providing 8 assists in 44 appearances.
Bayern had recently announced that Musiala would inherit the club’s iconic number 10 jersey next season — a shirt previously worn by legends such as Arjen Robben and Lothar Matthäus. He is set to take over the number from Leroy Sané, who is leaving the club.
The 21-year-old had just signaled his return to top form by scoring a hat-trick off the bench in Bayern’s 10-0 demolition of Auckland City, raising fans’ hopes ahead of the PSG clash.
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed as Musiala’s return, and possibly his season, ended in agony.
The club has yet to confirm the full extent of the injury or how long he will be sidelined, but early indications suggest a lengthy recovery ahead.