Bad news for Bayern: defender out for the season? | OneFootball

FC Bayern is worried about one of its biggest defensive talents. Cassiano Kiala has suffered a serious injury with the U17 national team. Now the 17-year-old is apparently facing a premature end to the season.

The setback occurred at the Algarve Cup with the German U17s. As reported by tz, the centre-back suffered a syndesmosis tear. The injury occurred last Wednesday in the 1-0 defeat against hosts Portugal.

Kiala had to be substituted after just 32 minutes and initial examinations suggest that he could be out for the season. That would be a tough break for the youngster, who has been working his way closer and closer to the pros in recent months.

Early breakthrough with the pros

photo: IMAGO

The 17-year-old has been training regularly with the professionals under head coach Vincent Kompany since this season. He made his Bundesliga debut shortly before Christmas 2025 when he came on as a substitute in the closing stages of the 4-0 win at Heidenheim, making him the second-youngest Bundesliga debutant in the club’s history.

With a market value of two million euros, Kiala is one of the most valuable German U17 players. Bayern’s sporting director at the Campus, Markus Weinzierl, recently said of the talent: „Cassiano was already regarded as a top talent in his position when he joined us and has also developed very well here. We have a clear plan for him. He has been training regularly with our professionals for months, but also gets important playing time almost every weekend, whether with the amateurs, in the U19s or in the Youth League.“

His absence would not only affect the Junior Bundesliga, but would also slow down his prospects in the professional game. The injury has come at a particularly inopportune time, when he wanted to recommend himself for further appearances.