Olympic Champion Severin Freund Sends Support to Jamal Musiala: "You Can Still Be World-Class"

What Happened?

Jamal Musiala (23), the star player for FC Bayern Munich, had two scary collapses during recent practice games. The sports world is worried about his health. But help and hope come from an unexpected place: Severin Freund (38), a former ski jumper and Olympic Gold Medalist.

Important Point:
Musiala has not shared his exact diagnosis publicly. He called his episodes "temporarily occurring but treatable absences due to a neurological dysfunction." The athletes mentioned below do not necessarily have the same condition as Musiala.

Who Is Severin Freund?

• Olympic Champion: Won gold with the German team in Sochi 2014.
• Lives with Epilepsy: He has a "sleep-related, focal epilepsy" that causes grand mal seizures (full-body convulsions).
• Proof of Possibility: Despite his condition, he reached the very top of world sport.

Freund’s Message to Musiala: "It Gets Better"

1. Every Condition Is Different

"No epilepsy is like the other."
Freund stresses that Musiala’s "absences" (brief lapses in awareness) are different from his own big seizures. Comparison doesn’t help – individual treatment does.

2. Openness Is a Strength

Freund praises Musiala and FC Bayern for being open and honest about the situation:

• They are working as a team (doctors, club, player).
• They are trying to find the best solution for Musiala as an athlete and a person.

3. Medication Is Tricky for Pros – But Options Exist

• Challenge: Pro athletes can’t afford side effects like drowsiness or slowed reactions.
• Good News: There are many medications and combinations to try.
• Freund’s Verdict: "I believe this can all turn out well, and he can bring world-class performances again."

4. The Mental Game: "It Becomes Part of You"

Freund shares his personal journey:

1. At first: You worry constantly. "Is it going to happen now? Next week is a big event."
2. Over time: You reach a moment where you realize: "This belongs to me. It’s just there, like my height or my shoe size."
3. In competition: The fear fades. He never worried about a seizure during a jump.

What FC Bayern Says: The Inside Story

Max Eberl (Bayern Sports Director) gave a crucial update:

Summary

• Jamal Musiala collapsed twice recently; the cause is a neurological issue ("absences").
• Olympic hero Severin Freund (who has epilepsy) says: Don’t panic.
• Key takeaways:
  • Every case is unique.
  • Openness and a strong medical team are huge advantages.
  • Medication for athletes is complex but very manageable.
  • Mentally, the condition eventually becomes "background noise."
• Bayern confirms: They knew since last season; a med change caused the recent flare-up; zero danger to life; Musiala sits out the Supercup to focus on getting the treatment right.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Does Musiala have epilepsy?

We don’t know for sure. He described "absences" (brief staring spells/lapses) due to a "neurological dysfunction." He has not used the word "epilepsy" publicly, and his exact diagnosis is private.

Is his career over?

Absolutely not. Severin Freund – an Olympic Champion – had grand mal seizures (much more dramatic than absences) and still won gold. Modern medicine offers many paths for athletes.

Why did he collapse now if Bayern knew for a year?

He changed his medication recently. The new meds (or the switch) made the symptoms show up more obviously. It’s a temporary adjustment phase, not a sudden new illness.

Is he in danger?

No. Max Eberl was very clear: There was never any danger to his life or physical safety.

When will he play again?

He misses the Supercup (Aug 23). The plan is to fine-tune his medication until he is stable and seizure-free again. No fixed return date has been given, but the club is optimistic.