2026 should be Musiala’s year: Bayern’s plans for the attacking star | OneFootball

Jamal Musiala is working hard on his comeback after a long injury layoff. FC Bayern has a clear plan for 2026

2026 is to be his year. Jamal Musiala is determined to play a formative role at FC Bayern again after his long forced break. Eight days before Christmas Eve, exactly 164 days after his serious fibula fracture in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain on 5 June 2025, the 22-year-old returned to team training for the first time. It was an emotional milestone for the attacking star after months of rehab, medical appointments and physical setbacks

The return to the pitch was a relief for Musiala, especially mentally, as BILD reports. The international had worked his way through an intensive rehab program over the past few months, always closely supported by the record champions‘ medical departments. Now the next step follows – with a clearly structured comeback plan

Musiala trains for his goal even on vacation

photo: IMAGO

While many Bayern professionals are supposed to deliberately switch off during their winter vacations, Musiala used the free time for targeted extra shifts. With a detailed training plan in his luggage, the attacking player worked several hours a day on strength, stability and resilience. All units were planned in close consultation with Bayern doctors and diagnosticians so as not to take any risks

The plan is for Musiala to be fully reintegrated into team training over the course of January. Ideally, he should make his first short appearances towards the end of the month. In the weeks that follow, those responsible want to carefully increase his playing time in order to get Musiala up to top level in time for the decisive phase of the season. He should be a central factor in Munich’s game again by the knockout matches in the Champions League at the latest

Prospects with Karl – Kompany has options

While Musiala was absent through injury, another Campus player seized his chance: Lennart Karl developed into a high-flyer and really blossomed under Vincent Kompany. For the Bayern coach, it is clear that both creative players could be on the pitch together in the future. Both Musiala and Karl have the quality to drive the game forward from deeper areas or flexibly occupy half-positions on the wing

Until these ideas become reality, however, Musiala has one thing above all else to do: take the final steps back, build up confidence in his own body and enjoy every moment on the pitch again. The foundations have been laid for a strong 2026 – now he needs to become the difference-maker that FC Bayern is counting on again.