Jamal Musiala wore the number 10 shirt for Germany for the first time in the 2-0 friendly against France; he is in the offensive line under national coach Julian Nagelsmann. He was also one of the winners in the 2-1 win against the Netherlands. The 21-year-old from FC Bayern Munich has set himself high goals for the rest of the season – it’s about the Champions League and the European Championship.
Ask: Mr Musiala, you now wear number 10 for the national team. What does this number mean to you?
Jamal Musiala: I often played with number 10 when I was younger; back then, the shirt numbers were always only given out on the day of the game. Sometimes I had to fight a bit for the 10. Now visible on the European Championship jersey: “10, Musiala” – that’s really cool. When I was a child, Lionel Messi had the 10th. Ronaldinho too, before legends like Maradona or Lothar Matthäus. But the number won’t make me arrogant or think that it gives me special status – on the contrary. She is a challenge. I want to do it justice and approach the games the same way I would with 14 or 42.
A real number ten, not just on the jersey
Source: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein
Ask: Did Matthew, with whom you have a close relationship, congratulate you on the 10th?
She had to: I haven’t heard from Lothar yet, but I’m sure he’s very happy about it. The number 10 brought him luck and he was very successful with it. He once gave me a jersey from the ’90 World Cup with his number 10 on it, which has a place of honor with me.
Ask: Do you also want the 10 at Bayern next season?
She had to: At Bayern this is Leroy Sané’s number. If Leroy stays, which I really hope he does, I’ll still be happy with the number 42.
Ask: Are you currently in the best shape of your career?
She had to: Yes. I feel like I’m playing my best football right now. Also with a view to the entire season. I realize that I have taken a step forward. I score the goals and get the assists you need to get attention. I’ve been playing consistently all season, the scorer points have sometimes been lacking, but it’s working very well in 2024. This is a big step, I want to stick with it, continue to work hard, go into the game with energy and lots of action.
also read
Ask: How important are the scorers to you?
She had to: As an offensive player you can’t ignore it. There is a lot of emphasis on statistics these days.
Ask: In ice hockey, passing to the passer for a goal is also counted as an assist. Is that what you want in football?
She had to: The “Pre-Assist”? That would be great. I think that would be positive for me (laughs). But recently I was also happy with the games in which I didn’t get on the scoresheet. I always knew that there would come a time when the work would pay off and I would score goals and assists. I’ve often lacked a bit of luck this season.
Musiala’s signature is highly sought after by fans
Source: dpa/Arne Dedert
Ask: You are considered a super talent and were given the nickname “Bambi” early on. Are these days as number 10 in the German national team with a market value of 110 million on transfermarkt.de over?
She had to: You can say that, yes: I’m no longer the young player, I’m no longer Bambi. I have more responsibility in both teams. I have given up the status of the young super talent who needs to be watched out for. Nevertheless, I want to play with ease, have fun, and radiate joy on the field like I did when I was younger.
Ask: Toni Kroos explained that he doesn’t watch much of the Bundesliga – but a training session with you is enough to see what you can do. Do you feel the appreciation?
She had to: In general I feel that the players have a lot of respect for me. But I give them the same respect. This is what we need for the right chemistry on the pitch: everyone has to recognize their colleagues.
Musial’s tempodribbler
Quelle: Getty Images/Alex Grimm
Ask: You had wisdom tooth surgery in December 2023, which is intended to prevent future muscle injuries. Since then you’ve been playing through without any problems: Do you also notice that you’re at a different fitness level?
She had to: I was a bit wondering where the two muscle injuries came from: I had undergone treatments, physio, stretching exercises and extra training and had always looked after my body. It was annoying that I was out and had to build up the rhythm again. I did some research and found out that a wisdom tooth can be the source of an injury. The procedure went smoothly and helped me: I have been injury-free and feeling good since then. I have full energy, my legs feel good, my head is clear.
Ask: How ambitious are you to show what the real Jamal Musiala looks like in the DFB jersey at the European Championships in the summer – after a personally good World Cup in Qatar, where you didn’t score a goal?
She had to: I’m really excited for the tournament to get started. The time beforehand is sometimes a bit stressful: training camps, test matches and more. But then being part of the team at a home European Championship in your own country: There is nothing bigger, every child dreams of that.
Ask: What else is possible with FC Bayern this season – especially in the Champions League?
She had to: Everything is possible! With the second leg against Arsenal in our Allianz Arena we can secure a place in the semi-finals! First of all, we have to build up a good rhythm in the two Bundesliga games beforehand. I dream about the final at Wembley. It will be difficult to catch up with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. We will push as hard as possible. We hope that we can get something out of this difficult season. Preferably a title!
Two generations of footballers in one team – Thomas Müller (l.) with Musiala
Source: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein
Ask: What were your experiences with Arsenal as a youth with Chelsea FC?
She had to: We met Arsenal a lot, they were always big derbies. Overall, I would say we won a few more games…
Ask: Which player does Bayern have to pay particular attention to?
She had to: Martin Ødegaard is a brilliant director in the midfield, but there is a lot of quality throughout the team: Saka, Martinelli, Rice, Havertz and many more. They have top quality in every position. We have to be ready for that.
Ask: Is there a team in the Champions League that is superior to Bayern and is almost impossible to beat in two games? Manchester City?
She had to: I have the mindset that we can beat any team. There are teams that have better seasons than us. But I would never go into a match and be afraid of the opponent.
Ask: Together with Florian Wirtz, you are the great hope for the home European Championships. How is their exchange?
She had to: We have a good relationship, are friends, and talk a lot with the national team. We know what we want to do and can play together very well. If we are both in a good mood, we can achieve a lot with the national team. There is a lot of expectation and a certain amount of pressure. But that comes automatically when you have a good season. For me, this pressure is more of a sign that I’m at a good level.
The interview was conducted for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.
