Lothar Matthaus warns Jamal Musiala: 'No more excuses' at Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has issued a firm challenge to Jamal Musiala, urging the playmaker to reclaim his best form ahead of the new campaign. After a long recovery process following a severe injury in July 2025, the 23-year-old now faces a battle to secure a starting role under manager Vincent Kompany.

Writing in his Sky Sport column, Matthaus insisted that the time for using injury recovery as a fallback is over. He highlighted the fluid chemistry between Bayern's attacking leaders, specifically pointing to the partnership between Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry, as a significant hurdle for Musiala.

Eventually, the serious injury he suffered over a year ago will heal. He needs to finally put it behind him. That's crucial now, otherwise, he'll likely spend a lot of time off the bench due to the stiff competition. Lothar Matthaus

The pressure on Musiala is compounded by the presence of creative alternatives like Michael Olise and youngster Lennart Karl, who are both capable of operating in the number 10 role. With the team rotation functioning efficiently, Kompany’s margin for error in team selection is minimal.

Musiala is currently working on his match fitness during pre-season after undergoing a minor procedure to remove a metal stabilisation plate in July 2026. He remains determined to lock down a spot in the starting XI as Bayern looks to defend their Bundesliga title and mount a serious challenge in the Champions League.