Jamal Musiala’s ‘absence seizures’ explained: What causes them, what happens during episodes and how dangerous they are | Football News

Jamal Musiala’s absence seizures explained: What causes them, what happens during episodes and how dangerous they are.

Jamal Musiala has revealed that he has been diagnosed with “temporarily occurring, brief absence seizures” after collapsing during two Bayern Munich friendlies within four days. The 23-year-old Germany international said the episodes are caused by a neurological dysfunction, are treatable and are currently being managed with specialist medical care.The disclosure came after Musiala collapsed during Tuesday’s 4-2 friendly win over Heidenheim, just days after a similar episode against RB Leipzig. He has since said that he is doing well, remains optimistic and, after consultation with neurological specialists, intends to continue living normally and pursuing his career in football.

What are absence seizures?

Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses in consciousness. They are much more common in children than adults and can sometimes be mistaken for a person simply losing concentration or staring into space.According to the Mayo Clinic, a simple absence seizure typically lasts about 10 seconds, although it can last as long as 30 seconds. During an episode, the person may suddenly stop what they are doing and stare blankly into space before quickly returning to an alert state.Massachusetts General Hospital describes the loss of awareness as usually lasting between five and 30 seconds. A person experiencing one may appear to be daydreaming and may not respond normally to what is happening around them.There is generally no confusion, headache or drowsiness after a typical absence seizure, and the person may have no memory of the episode. If episodes happen repeatedly, however, they can interfere with everyday activities. Small movements such as eyelid fluttering, lip smacking, chewing motions or finger rubbing can also occur, according to the Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital.A typical absence seizure does not usually involve the dramatic muscle jerking associated with some other seizure types, and people generally recover quickly without the confusion, headache or drowsiness that can follow other seizures.That distinction matters when considering what has been seen with Musiala. The Bayern midfielder has appeared disoriented and collapsed during matches, but his public statement does not provide enough medical detail to determine precisely how his individual episodes present beyond the diagnosis he disclosed.

Why can someone appear to collapse during an episode?

An absence seizure is fundamentally a temporary interruption of awareness rather than the kind of prolonged loss of consciousness that people may associate with a conventional faint.That distinction is relevant to what happened with Musiala. During both Bayern matches, he appeared disoriented before going down, with the incidents occurring while he was actively playing.Against RB Leipzig on Saturday, August 15, Musiala appeared unsteady before beginning to fall. New Bayern team-mate Ismael Saibari reacted immediately, catching him and helping lower him safely to the ground before medical staff attended to him.Musiala was able to leave the pitch under his own power and subsequently returned to training.Four days later, he came off the bench against Heidenheim and suffered another episode. Players from both teams surrounded him as medical staff came onto the pitch, before he was helped away from the playing area.The repeated nature of the incidents prompted understandable concern, but Musiala subsequently explained that both episodes were connected to the diagnosis he had received.

What causes absence seizures?

Absence seizures occur because of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, temporarily disrupting normal awareness.The condition is particularly associated with childhood. The Mayo Clinic says absence seizures are more common in children, while Massachusetts General Hospital notes that they can begin in childhood, most commonly between the ages of 8 and 15, although some people continue experiencing them into adulthood.Some episodes can also be triggered by factors such as flashing lights or rapid, deep breathing, according to the medical information provided by Massachusetts General Hospital.There is no information from Musiala indicating what specifically triggered either of his recent episodes, and he has asked for the details of his condition to remain private.

How concerning is it for Musiala to have an episode while playing football?

An absence seizure itself is generally brief and does not usually cause physical injury. The Mayo Clinic notes, however, that the circumstances in which one occurs can create risks. A sudden lapse in awareness while driving, cycling or performing another activity where continuous attention is required can result in injury.For an elite footballer, the question is therefore not simply whether an absence seizure is usually physically damaging. A temporary loss of awareness while running, challenging for the ball or moving at speed can create an entirely different set of risks.Musiala has specifically addressed that concern himself. He said that, in his case, “there is no additional health risk beyond this” and that, after consultation with neurological specialists, he had been cleared to continue his normal life and pursue football.He also said he was receiving the best possible medical care and remained “very optimistic,” according to his statement.

What happened to Musiala before this?

The latest diagnosis comes after several difficult seasons from an injury perspective.Musiala suffered a serious ankle injury during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following a challenge involving then-Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The injury kept him out for several months, with his return coming in the second half of the following season.He subsequently dealt with further ankle problems that disrupted his recovery and limited his ability to regain his best form. He nevertheless returned to the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup and started three of the country’s four matches at the tournament.The two recent Bayern incidents are therefore separate from that injury history and concern a neurological condition that Musiala has only now publicly identified.

What has Musiala said about his future?

Musiala also sought to reassure supporters about what comes next, saying he remains optimistic about his recovery and feels well supported by Bayern Munich and those around him. “I know they might look scary at first glance, but for me, they are currently just part of my everyday life,” he wrote, adding that he was “receiving excellent medical care” and that “FC Bayern and my personal support network are right by my side, helping me through this.”With clearance from his neurological specialists, Musiala said it was his own decision to continue with his normal life and return to the activity that matters most to him. “With the medical clearance of the neurologists, I want to continue doing what helps my recovery the most: simply living my daily life and pursuing my passion for playing football,” he said.He added that he had taken responsibility for the decision and was feeling positive about his progress. “Overall, I feel very positive and am on the right track,” Musiala wrote, before turning his attention towards Bayern’s season and the possibility of continuing to compete for trophies with his team.“What helps me most on this journey is continuing to chase victories and titles with my team and with your amazing support,” he said.Musiala also asked supporters to respect his wish to keep the details of his condition private, limiting those discussions to his closest circle, the club and his medical experts.