Kahn Suggests Drastic Step for Musiala Amid World Cup Form Concerns

The road to the World Cup is rarely a straight line, but for Jamal Musiala, it may have just become a steep climb. In a move that has sent ripples through the German football landscape, former FC Bayern board member and legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has suggested that the superstar playmaker should consider a drastic step: skipping the World Cup entirely.

Speaking on the Sky program “Triple – der Hagedorn-Fussballtalk,” Kahn didn’t mince words regarding Musiala’s current trajectory. As the deadline for squad selection looms, Kahn argues that the player’s priority must be a return to elite performance rather than forcing a participation that could be premature.

The Philosophy of Readiness

Kahn’s advice stems from a professional belief that playing at a world-class level requires more than just talent—it requires a specific mental and physical readiness that Musiala currently lacks. When asked if the struggling superstar should consider withdrawing from the tournament to regain his top form, Kahn responded, “Absolutely yes, of course.”

For Kahn, the decision is about the integrity of the player’s game. “That is the most important thing: If I feel that something is not right in my game—perhaps I am not yet ready to go into the tackles—then I must work on myself until I am ready again,” Kahn explained. He emphasized that a professional must first reclaim their previous level of play before thinking about “the considerable things” like a World Cup.

A Grueling Recovery Timeline

To understand why Kahn is urging such a drastic measure, one must look at the physical toll Musiala has endured over the last year. The Bayern Munich technician’s current form crisis is not a matter of lost motivation, but a consequence of a devastating injury sequence.

During the Club World Cup held in the United States last summer, Musiala suffered a broken fibula and severe injuries to his ankle. The severity of the trauma required surgery and sidelined him from competitive action until the start of the current year. Even as he has returned to the pitch, the “old level” Kahn refers to has remained elusive.

For a player whose game relies on explosive agility and precision dribbling, a broken fibula is a catastrophic setback. The struggle to find rhythm after such a long layoff is a common hurdle for elite athletes, but with the World Cup approaching, the window for a full recovery is closing fast.

Hamann’s Harsher Reality Check

While Kahn’s advice was framed as a path to long-term recovery, Sky expert Dietmar Hamann offered a more clinical and skeptical assessment. According to Hamann, the conversation about Musiala participating in the World Cup is currently irrelevant due to the fact that the player is nowhere near the required standard.

“The World Cup is not in danger; the World Cup is currently not a topic,” Hamann stated. He suggested that both the player and FC Bayern are likely focusing on everything except the tournament at this moment.

Hamann pointed to the remaining Bundesliga schedule as the ultimate litmus test. With FC Bayern having approximately ten season games remaining, Hamann believes Musiala must start at least half of those matches to even be considered a viable candidate for the national team. With only seven weeks remaining until the tournament, Hamann warned that “everything must run perfectly” now for Musiala to have any chance.

The Stakes for the National Team

This debate highlights a classic tension in international football: do you bring a diminished superstar based on their ceiling, or do you select players based on their current floor? Musiala is widely regarded as one of the most gifted creators in the world, but a “form crisis” at this stage puts the coaching staff in a difficult position.

If Musiala is included without being fully “ready”—as Kahn fears—he risks not only underperforming on the world’s biggest stage but also hindering his own long-term recovery by rushing the process. Conversely, omitting a player of his caliber could leave the German side lacking the creative spark necessary to advance deep into the tournament.

The consensus among the critics is clear: the talent is there, but the timing is wrong. Whether Musiala listens to the “drastic” advice of Oliver Kahn or manages to defy Dietmar Hamann’s skepticism will depend entirely on his performances in the final stretch of the Bayern Munich season.

Key Performance Indicators for Musiala

As the football world watches Musiala’s next few appearances, several key factors will determine if he can reverse the current narrative:

• Duel Success: Whether he can regain the confidence to engage in physical challenges, a specific concern mentioned by Kahn.
• Match Fitness: The ability to maintain high intensity over a full 90 minutes after his long surgery recovery.
• Starting Consistency: Meeting Hamann’s benchmark of starting at least five of the remaining ten Bayern matches.
• Dribbling Efficiency: Returning to the “dribbling artist” persona that defined his pre-injury form.

The next confirmed checkpoint will be Musiala’s involvement in FC Bayern’s upcoming Bundesliga fixtures, where every touch and every tackle will be scrutinized as a signal of his World Cup readiness.

Do you agree with Oliver Kahn? Should a player skip a World Cup to protect their long-term career, or is the opportunity too great to pass up? Let us know in the comments.