Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl has publicly pushed back against a surprising suggestion from a club legend regarding one of Germany's brightest stars. Former Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn recently made waves by advising 23-year-old Jamal Musiala to skip the upcoming World Cup, citing the player's ongoing recovery from a complex long-term injury.

Eberl, however, firmly believes that a player of Musiala's caliber belongs on the world's biggest stage. "Honestly, I believe that anyone who competes in professional sport can't be told to stay at home when the biggest events come around," Eberl stated in an interview with Sky Germany.

He acknowledged the challenging path Musiala has been on, emphasizing the mental and physical toll of his recovery. "We all saw the injury – it was very, very complex. We knew recovery would take a long time, both physically and mentally, especially when it comes to being able to step onto the pitch without any worries again," Eberl explained. "These are processes he has to go through, and that’s what he’s doing now. The moment will come when something extraordinary happens on the pitch – and then the knot will come undone."

Looking ahead to the tournament, Eberl highlighted Musiala's potential value to the German national team regardless of his starting status. He expressed confidence that the dynamic attacker can be a decisive weapon. "I’m sure that Jamal will be very valuable to us at the World Cup if he is reasonably fit. If he’s in form, he’s important. And even if he’s not at 100 percent, you’re still happy to have him on the bench to create special moments."

This internal debate underscores the high stakes for a player like Musiala, whose creativity and flair make him a fan favorite and a potential game-changer for Germany as they prepare for their World Cup campaign.