‘Superfluous’ and ‘Incomprehensible’: Lothar Matthäus Slams Oliver Kahn Over Jamal Musiala World Cup Advice

The tension between two of German football’s most imposing figures has spilled over into the public eye, with Lothar Matthäus delivering a sharp rebuke to Oliver Kahn regarding the future of Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. At the heart of the dispute is whether the young playmaker should participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup or prioritize a full recovery from a devastating injury.

The conflict ignited after Oliver Kahn, the former Bayern Munich goalkeeper and CEO, suggested that Musiala should forgo the tournament to ensure he is physically and mentally prepared for the 2026/27 campaign. Matthäus, the record national team appearance holder, did not hold back his disapproval, labeling Kahn’s public advice as “superfluous” and “incomprehensible.”

The Spark: Kahn’s Call for Caution

Speaking exclusively to Sky Germany in the program “Triple – der Hagedorn-Fussballtalk,” Kahn expressed concern over Musiala’s current trajectory. Kahn argued that the player should step away from the international stage if he feels his game is not yet where it needs to be.

“He should forgo participating in the World Cup. If I sense that something is wrong with my game, then I have to work on myself to be ready again,” Kahn stated. His reasoning stems from the grueling nature of Musiala’s recovery process, suggesting that a rushed return to peak form could jeopardize the player’s long-term health.

Matthäus Fires Back

Lothar Matthäus countered these comments on Saturday following a Bayern Munich match against FC St. Pauli—a game in which Musiala delivered a standout performance, earning a “Grade 1+” rating. For Matthäus, the timing and nature of Kahn’s intervention were entirely misplaced.

Matthäus pointed to the contradiction in Kahn’s current stance compared to his previous role as the club’s CEO. “Oliver was himself responsible at FC Bayern and always stood in front of the team, supported every player and made them stronger,” Matthäus noted. “Now he is in a different position and tells a player two and a half months before the World Cup that he should forgo it.”

The critique became personal when Matthäus questioned the authenticity of Kahn’s advice, adding that “Oliver Kahn did not even skip a single training session” during his own career. To Matthäus, suggesting a player miss the pinnacle of international football is a sentiment that doesn’t align with the competitive reality of the sport.

The Road to Recovery: A ‘Real Blow’

To understand why this debate is happening, one must look at the severity of the injury Musiala sustained. During the Club World Cup last summer, Musiala suffered a massive collision with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, resulting in a fractured fibula (lower leg bone) and a dislocated ankle.

The recovery has been fraught with difficulty. Reports indicate that Musiala likely returned to training too early in December, leading to subsequent physical and mental struggles as he attempted to regain his world-class form. The journey has been described as a rough road, with some concerns that the player may struggle to return to his pre-injury levels.

Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Max Eberl, has also weighed in, though with a more measured tone. Speaking to Sky, Eberl described the injury as a “real blow” (Echt ein Einschlag) for the player. However, Eberl believes the current public discourse is premature, stating that discussions about World Cup participation are happening “much too early” given the time remaining before the tournament begins.

Analysis: The Stakes for Musiala and Germany

For a global audience, this clash represents a classic tension in modern sports: the balance between immediate glory and long-term career sustainability. For Jamal Musiala, a World Cup is a career-defining opportunity. For a player of his caliber, missing such a tournament is rarely an option unless the injury is absolute.

The fact that Musiala is already producing “season-best” performances, as seen in the St. Pauli fixture, provides a strong counter-argument to Kahn’s caution. When a player is performing at a high level on the pitch, calls for them to “skip” a tournament often ring hollow to teammates and coaches.

While Kahn’s perspective is rooted in a desire to avoid a permanent decline in Musiala’s abilities, Matthäus’s reaction reflects the traditional footballing ethos: you play when you are fit, and you fight for every opportunity to represent your country.

As the tournament draws closer, the decision will ultimately rest with Musiala, the German national team medical staff, and head coach Julian Nagelsmann. For now, the public disagreement between Kahn and Matthäus serves as a reminder of the immense pressure placed on young stars returning from catastrophic injuries.

The next critical checkpoint will be Musiala’s continued availability and performance in Bayern Munich’s upcoming fixtures as the club navigates the final stretch of the season and the national team finalizes its roster.

Do you agree with Kahn’s cautious approach, or is Matthäus right that skipping a World Cup is unthinkable? Let us know in the comments.