Nagelsmann sets the tone: Musiala remains a key player in the DFB team | OneFootball

Jamal Musiala is going through a difficult phase – but his importance to the German national team has not changed. Despite injury problems, national coach Julian Nagelsmann is sending a clear signal

After his serious injury in the summer of 2025, the FC Bayern attacking player fought his way back step by step. Initial highlights such as a goal in the Champions League or a converted penalty in the Bundesliga showed that Musiala is back on track. However, he has not yet been able to reach his full potential

Just as Musiala was about to pick up speed again, the next setback followed. In the match against Atalanta, he scored after coming on as a substitute, but had to be substituted again shortly afterwards. Diagnosis: a pain reaction in his ankle

Since then, the 23-year-old has not been on the pitch, has trained individually and consequently had to withdraw from the international matches against Switzerland and Ghana

This development is not unusual from a medical point of view. After a serious injury, the body needs time to get used to the strain. Nevertheless, this latest setback is a mental and sporting setback for Musiala

Nagelsmann deliberately sets an example

Despite the current break, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has sent out a clear signal by deliberately not reassigning the number 10 – Musiala’s jersey – when assigning the shirt numbers for the upcoming international matches

A symbolic step that shows: Musiala remains a central component of the national team

Nagelsmann also made it clear that he would have liked to have had the Bayern star in the squad, but that his health was the top priority. He did not want to take any risks under any circumstances

World Cup remains firmly in sight

photo: IMAGO

There is therefore no reason to panic with a view to the World Cup in the summer. There are still several weeks left to carefully bring Musiala back up to his top level

Even if the attacking player is not immediately at 100 percent, he could initially play an important role as a wild card

The message is clear: Musiala’s current situation does nothing to change his standing

The playmaker continues to enjoy the full confidence of both FC Bayern and the DFB. The decisive factor now will be that he is given the time he needs to get fully fit.