Daily Finland
Writing non-football headlines might be a welcome breather for Bayern Munich's genius Jamal Musiala. This Friday, a day before the Bavarians' league match against St. Pauli and a few days before the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Real, the 23-year-old published two children's books. The books, titled "My football adventure starts" and "My start with Bayern Munich," are illustrated in a comic style and are said to encourage kids to read. While the youngster's early days in the family garden and his excitement ahead of the first training session with Bayern's pro-team spark the interest of young football fans, sporting life is far from easy for Musiala. Because of his serious ankle injury, sustained during the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, ease seems lost, and the attacker finds himself on a bumpy road back to peak shape. While Bayern might be on its way to securing silverware across three competitions this season, Musiala's participation in the 2026 World Cup is at stake. Recurring setbacks burden his comeback efforts, not to mention Julian Nagelsmann's note that time is running short. "He has eight weeks; he must be pain-free and at 100 percent to play," the German coach said. The sports magazine Kicker covered Musiala's race against time, while former Bayern keeper and TV pundit Oliver Kahn and former LFC midfielder Dietmar Hamann suggested that Musiala consider skipping the World Cup to regain his shape. "The World Cup isn't at stake; it's nothing he is currently thinking about," Hamann said, while Kahn openly said: "He should pull out." "He has to get back to his best shape first and then think about the big things," 56-year-old Kahn added, while Bayern coach Vincent Kompany announced that no risks would be taken. Bayer board member for Sport, Max Eberl, spoke about the physicality involved but mentioned "soul and psyche" as vital parts. After Musiala's substitution in the first leg against Real (2-1) in the 69th minute, Hamann concluded: "At present, he can't help the team." Most man-to-man duels were lost, and speed was missing from the rare goal opportunities, as the man who normally shaped Bayern's game played only a side role. The kicker assumed that Musiala, at present, isn't a choice for the starting eleven but might gain strength in less important games, such as St. Pauli. Despite having to fight back after a muscle injury, the Bayern player made it back in time. Now, fans and Bayern hope he does it again.
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