Two years ago, few would have predicted that Jamal Musiala, with his light build, average height, and innocent demeanor that won him the nickname “Bambi,” would become one of Germany’s most important players for the 2022 World Cup.
The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the finest talents in global football, having blossomed for European champions Bayern Munich since his breakthrough in 2020, and he will get an opportunity to showcase his skill on the grandest platform when Germany open their Group E campaign against Japan today.
After a great start to the season with Bayern Munich, where he has scored nine goals and provided six assists, the teen sensation is anticipated to operate between central midfield and the front line for Germany.
The former captain of Germany, Lothar Matthaeus, drew parallels between his speed, passing, creative play, and goal-scoring prowess with those of Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Musiala, whose family relocated from Germany to England when he was seven years old, honed his skills in England as a kid, ascending all the way to England Under-21 before joining Bayern Munich in 2019.
However, Musiala, who is good friends with England player Jude Bellingham, has decided to play for his natal nation in the World Cup, giving a big blow to Gareth Southgate and the England side.
It was not a simple choice for me. I have a soft spot for both Germany and England. Both hearts will continue to beat,’ Musiala said after declaring his commitment to The Athletic.
In April of this year, Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich shoots the ball during a training session at Saebener Strasse.
Prior to joining Bayern in 2019, he progressed through England’s development system all the way to the Under-21 level.
On May 8, 2022, the football sensation is spotted with his family at Allianz Arena.
Jude Bellingham and Musiala (bottom row, second right) are good friends (bottom row far left)
In an earlier news conference, Southgate said, ‘We would have preferred him to stay [with England].
But when you practice at Bayern Munich every day and are surrounded by Bayern Munich and German players, it becomes somewhat more difficult, and his family has great links to Germany.
We appreciated collaborating with him when he was a member of our younger teams. It was a pleasure to work with him. We felt he would be a good player, and he is.”
On Monday, though, Musiala praised his England childhood career with helping him build a creative game that has rapidly made him one of the sport’s emerging stars.
“I believe a comparison to Messi is akin to an honor,” Musiala said during a news conference.
‘He has played at the highest level for so long that it is impossible to compare him to others. I simply concentrate on myself and what I can do better as Jamal, and I continue on.
One piece of advice he received from his English coaches has helped him develop into the player he is today.
I believe you learn different things in England and Germany. I brought a great deal with me. They used to say, “Play freely,” he explained.
This is something I have carried with me throughout my career, and it will continue with me.
Musiala has attributed his time as a kid in England with helping him create a creative game that has swiftly made him one of the sport’s emerging stars.
Jamal Musiala poses for an official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 photograph on November 17, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.
Born in Stuttgart to a Nigerian father and German mother, Musiala grew raised in Fulda, central Germany, until the age of seven, when his mother Carolin relocated to Southampton to attend university.
Rich’s father visited Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium in search of a local club, where he met Jazz Bhatti, who works for the Saints Foundation charity and co-runs the City Central club with his brother Rosh.
Jazz proposed bringing little Jamal to Rosh’s Saturday morning training session.
Musiala, who reportedly could not speak English at the time, played for ten minutes until Rosh called his brother on the phone.
He told the Telegraph, “Some of the things he was doing were absurd; I couldn’t believe he was seven.”
Everything we demonstrated, he would perform superiorly. He was a unique individual as well. In a one game, he scored five goals extremely rapidly, but he could tell that his teammates were disappointed because they hadn’t scored. He then attempted to ensure that they all scored. Except for one, they all did, and he was very sad.
The children adored him. They would linger only to observe him workout. He was with us for six months, yet he left behind an incredible legacy.
Musiala was born in Stuttgart to a Nigerian father and a German mother, and he played for Chelsea.
Jamal Musiala of Chelsea participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium on December 12, 2014.
Musiala temporarily played for the Saints academy, spent time in Germany before returning to London, and joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of eight, when he became friendly with the family of Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is two years older than him.
He beat Hudson-record Odoi’s for goals scored at Whitgift Institution in Croydon, an independent school that Victor Moses also attended.
According to reports, he was also a great chess player and a poet.
Musiala represented England in the Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, and Under-21 levels.
In 2019, he left Chelsea after eight years to join Bayern, moving to Munich with his mother.
A year later, he made his professional debut for the Bavarians and scored the club’s youngest-ever goal against Schalke at the age of 17 years 205 days.
Musiala is a talented midfielder who can play virtually any position.
According to him, he still receives comments regarding his decision to play for Germany rather than England, and he considers it a compliment that English supporters are upset that he is not representing their nation.
Eli Dasa of Israel and Jamal Musiala of Germany vie for possession of the ball during the March 26, 2022 international friendly between Germany and Israel at PreZero-Arena in Sinsheim, Germany.
I believe it was always my goal to play at Wembley or in one of these major games when I was little.
‘From my time with England’s young teams, I know they have incredible quality, as I played with many of them – Under 21s, Under 19s,’ he remarked.
I believe that England’s youth system does a great job of fostering these kids’ skills and ensuring that they continue to improve.
When you mentioned breaking hearts, a few of my friends send me random messages when they see me stating that I should have played for England and such.
We joke around, but I believe they are still pleased with my choice.
“I’m sure some England supporters will be disappointed, but I think it shows I’m doing well if I didn’t select their nation.”
In September, Musiala effortlessly switched between German and English at a pre-match news conference in the bowels of Wembley – a stadium he aspired to play at as a child.
Musiala, who entered as a stoppage-time replacement beneath the arch in last year’s Euro 2020 quarterfinal defeat to England, remarked, “It’s sort of strange to think about stuff like that.”
When I was little, I believe it was always my goal to play at Wembley or in one of these major games. I simply enjoyed playing football, regardless of where I was.
Musiala stated that selecting Germany over England was not an easy choice.
It was my ambition to be a member of such important games and a team to which I can contribute significantly. I am content with where I am right now.
Musiala, who was also eligible to play for Nigeria due to his father, stated that choosing to play for Germany was not an easy choice, but the correct one for a player who clearly has a great deal of passion for England.
He maintains communication with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Tino Livramento and recalls meeting Southgate as a child with fondness.
He stated, “That occurred at my elementary school, Corpus Christi.” “I spotted him there, and I took a photograph. It is not currently on me, but we did take a picture together. It was a pleasure to see him.
But in the meantime, he must concentrate on his game for Germany.
In addition to facing Spain and Costa Rica, Germany is aiming to make apologies for their shocking first-round defeat in 2018.
Musiala stated, “We have the ability to advance far in this competition.” We all enter with the belief that we can win the championship. We are well-prepared and eager to proceed.