There was insult to literal injury in Bayern Munich’s 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal clash in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday. To add to the disappointment of having lost defender Josip Stanišić to a hamstring problem midway through the first half, Jamal Musiala suffered a horrific injury just before the halftime whistle in a 50/50 duel with PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while being closed down by Willian Pacho, who was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Leon Goretzka in the second half.
On the loose ball that led to the injury in PSG’s box, Donnarumma had every right to go for the ball in the manner in which he did, but he never intended on causing the injury to Musiala. It was just incredibly unfortunate and post-match tests confirmed that Musiala had suffered a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his left ankle. He was visibly in an immense amount of pain and DAZN coverage rightfully did not show the replay of the incident after realizing the extent of the injury.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Donnarumma displayed a great deal of remorse and concern, as he had seen the extent of Musiala’s injury - it could clearly be seen how bad he felt about what had happened on what looked to be a fairly routine sequence.
Per information from French outlet RMC Sport (via @iMiaSanMia), the PSG keeper was so distraught after the match with what had happened, that he sought the help and advice of PSG psychologist Joaquin Valdes. This was after he had sent Musiala a text message to see how he was doing and had gone to Bayern’s dressing room to apologize for what had occurred.
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
All of Vincent Kompany, Max Eberl, and Manuel Neuer had questioned the way in which the Italian keeper had gone to dive on the ball in the play that unfortunately led to Musiala’s injury, but he was well within his rights to have made a play on the ball. The momentum from the nudge from Pacho is what caused Musiala’s legs to have gotten stuck under Donnarumma with such force to the point where there the weight of the keeper caused Musiala to not be able to get his feet out from under him.
It is a freak accident that is always possible of happening, but it comes as a massive blow for Kompany and Bayern, who are already without Alphonso Davies until midway next season. Not to mention, Leroy Sané is now a Galatasaray player and Thomas Müller played his last ever match for Bayern in the loss to PSG, so there is added impetus on Bayern making a proper attacking signing in addition to Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s devastating 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup — and a reaction to the horrific injury sustained by Jamal Musiala? Well, we have you covered with the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. You can get the podcast on Patreon, Acast, Spotify, any leading podcast distributor, or below:
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.