Jamal Musiala Reveals Absence Seizures Behind On-Pitch Collapses
Jamal Musiala has revealed he is suffering from "treatable absence seizures" after collapsing on the pitch twice in four days, assuring fans he has no serious health problems and that the condition is being managed.
The Bayern Munich and Germany forward posted a statement on Instagram acknowledging that the seizures have become part of his everyday life. He described the episodes as brief, temporary absences caused by a neurological dysfunction — manageable and already under treatment. His second collapse came on a Tuesday in August 2026, following an earlier episode four days before (The Guardian, Yahoo Sports).
Absence seizures are a type of generalised seizure that commonly affect children and young adults. There are two forms: typical and atypical. In a typical absence seizure, the affected person may appear to be daydreaming or staring blankly, usually for just a few seconds. Because the episode involves a varying degree of lost awareness, it can cause someone to lose balance or become unresponsive while it lasts (BBC Sport).
Repeated absence seizures over more than 24 hours can be an indication of epilepsy, though the condition can be treated with medication. Dr Meneka Sidhu, a consultant neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, explained that for athletes the triggers may include hyperventilation and dehydration — both common during intense physical exertion. She also offered a clear and reassuring message: when effectively treated, there is no reason absence seizures should stop anyone playing sport (BBC Sport).
There is precedent within elite sport. England rugby international Tommy Freeman began having absence seizures at 14, was diagnosed with epilepsy, and has since managed the condition with medication while playing for Northampton and England (BBC Sport).
For football fans, Musiala's own words carry the most important detail. He says he is fine. The seizures are treatable. The dysfunction is being addressed. What looked alarming on camera — a professional athlete dropping to the ground mid-match — has a name, a prognosis, and a path forward.
That will not stop the concern entirely, and nor should it. Any collapse on a football pitch freezes the stadium and the living room alike. But the gap between how that moment looks and what is actually happening inside the body can be vast, and Musiala has asked people to trust the medical explanation rather than the optics. If the treatment takes hold, there is every reason to expect him back doing what he does best.
