Just two years ago, very few people would have imagined that Jamal Musiala, who is known as “Bambi” due to his light build, medium height, and innocent demeanor, would go on to become one of the most important players for Germany in the 2022 World Cup.
Having prospered for European champions Bayern Munich since breaking through in 2020, the 19-year-old is considered to be one of the best possibilities in international football. Today, when the Germans begin off their Group E campaign against Japan, he will have the opportunity to demonstrate his skill on the most prestigious stage possible.
The youthful wonder is projected to be Germany’s conductor in attack, operating between central midfield and the front line. This is due to the fact that he has already scored nine goals and provided six assists for Bayern Munich, which is a fantastic start to the season for him.
He has immediately attracted similarities with other major names due to his speed, passing, creative play, and scoring ability. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus has drawn parallels between himself and the great Lionel Messi of Argentina about his scoring ability.
Musiala, who with his family relocated from Germany to England when he was seven years old, began his professional career in England as a young boy. He advanced through the national development system all the way to the England Under-21 team before going to Bayern in 2019.
However, Musiala, who is good friends with England superstar Jude Bellingham, has decided to play for his nation of birth in the World Cup. This decision has dealt a significant blow to the England side that is being coached by Gareth Southgate (Southgate).
The choice that I made was not an easy one for me. Germany and England are both places that I have a strong connection to. After reiterating his commitment to both individuals, Musiala stated to The Athletic that both hearts will continue to beat.
Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich shoots the ball during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground in April this year
He went through the national youth system all the way to the England Under-21 before moving to Bayern in 2019
Here the football sensation is pictured with his family at Allianz Arena on May 8, 2022
Musiala (bottom row, second right) is close friends with Jude Bellingham (bottom row far left)
In an earlier press conference, Southgate acknowledged, “We’d have liked him to stay [with England] for certain.”However, it becomes a little more difficult to train at Bayern Munich every day when you’re surrounded by German and Bayern Munich players, and of course, his family has such close relationships.
He was a pleasure to work with in our junior teams. It was a tremendous pleasure working with him. We were aware that he would be a skilled player, and he still is.
However, Musiala acknowledged on Monday that his time as an England young player helped him hone the inventiveness of his style, which has propelled him to prominence in the sport.
“I consider being compared to Messi to be an honor,” Musiala remarked at a press conference.
It’s challenging to compare yourself to someone who plays at such a high level for such a long time. I simply keep going, concentrating on myself and how I can perform better as Jamal.
One piece of advise from his English coaches has stuck with him and helped shape him into the player he is today.
I believe that education in England differs from that in Germany. I packed a lot of stuff. He recalled that they used to say, “Play with freedom.”
“I carried this with me into my career and I will always carry it with me.”
Musiala has credited his England youth period for helping him develop his creative game that has quickly turned him into one of the rising stars of the sport
Jamal Musiala during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 official portrait session in Doha, Qatar, November 17, 2022.
Musiala was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to a Nigerian father and a German mother. His parents first raised him in Fulda, in the heart of the country, but when he was seven years old, they relocated to Southampton, where his mother Carolin was a university student.
In his quest for a neighborhood club, Rich’s father went to Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium, where he encountered Jazz Bhatti, who assists his brother Rosh in running the City Central club in addition to working for the Saints Foundation charity.
Jazz proposed bringing young Jamal to Rosh’s Saturday morning tutoring session.
Rosh called his brother after Musiala, who at the time reportedly did not speak English, had played for ten minutes.
He told the Telegraph, “Some of the stuff he was doing was ridiculous—I couldn’t believe he was seven years old.”
“Everything we showed, he would surpass us in.” He was also a unique individual. He scored five goals in a game quite rapidly, but he could see that some of his teammates were disappointed not to have scored as well. So he attempted to make sure everyone got a point. Except for one, they all did, and he was furious.
The children adored him. Just to watch him train, they would loiter. During his brief six months with us, he left behind an incredible legacy.
Musiala was born to a Nigerian father and German mother in Stuttgart and played for Chelsea
Jamal Musiala of Chelsea took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Menin Gate on December 12, 2014 in Ypres, Belgium
Musiala briefly played for the Saints academy, had a spell back in Germany before returning to London and at the age of eight joined Chelsea’s academy where he grew close to the family of fellow academy player Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is two years older.
He broke Hudson-Odoi’s goal-scoring record at Whitgift School in Croydon, the independent school which also is alma mater to Victor Moses.
Reports say he was also an excellent chess player and would even compose poems.
Musiala represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U21 level.
After eight years at Chelsea he joined Bayern in 2019, moving to Munich with his mother.
He made his professional debut for the Bavarians a year later and became the club’s youngest ever goal scorer with a strike against Schalke at the age of 17 years 205 days.
Musiala is a versatile player who can play practically any position in midfield.
He said he still gets messages about his decision to play for Germany instead of England and takes it as a compliment that fans are frustrated that he is not representing their country.
Eli Dasa of Israel and Jamal Musiala of Germany battle for the ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Israel at PreZero-Arena on March 26, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany
‘I think when I was younger it was always my dream to play at Wembley or being part of one of these big games’
‘From my time with England in the youth level, they have amazing talents and I was playing with many of them as well – the Under 21s, 19s,’ he said.
‘There was many players which can have an amazing career and I think England’s youth system is very good for that, to build on these talents and make sure they get better.
‘When you said (about) breaking hearts, some of my friends message me here and there when they see me saying I should have played for England and stuff.
‘We joke around but I think they’re still happy for my decision.
‘I’m sure some England fans won’t be happy but I think that means I’m doing good if it upsets some people that I didn’t choose their country.’
Musiala seamlessly flicked between German and English at a pre-match press conference in the bowels of Wembley in September – a stadium he dreamt of lining up at as a kid.
‘It’s kind of crazy to think about things like that,’ said Musiala, who came on as a stoppage-time substitute under the arch in last year’s Euro 2020 last-16 loss to England.
‘I think when I was younger it was always my dream to play at Wembley or being part of one of these big games. For me, it was not exactly where I was, I just loved playing football.
Musiala said choosing to play for Germany over England was not an easy decision
‘That was my dream to be involved in such big games and be part of a squad where I can contribute a lot. I’m just happy where I am right now.’
Musiala, who was also eligible for Nigeria because of his father, said choosing to represent Germany was not an easy decision but the right one for someone who clearly has a lot of affection for England.
He still keeps in contact with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Tino Livramento and fondly remembers meeting Southgate as a kid.
‘That was at my primary school, Corpus Christi,’ he said. ‘I saw him there, I had a picture. It’s not on me right now, but we took a picture together. It was nice seeing him.’
But now it’s about the present and focusing on his game for Germany.
Germany also play Spain and Costa Rica and are eager to make amends for their 2018 shock first round exit.
‘We have the quality to go far in this tournament,’ Musiala said. ‘We all go in with the mindset that we can win the title. We are well prepared and raring to go.’