Jamal Musiala, hailed as a «magic foot,» a playmaker, and a ball magnet, carries enormous hopes for the German national team at the upcoming World Cup. The question looms: can he live up to these expectations and rediscover his «magical self» on the grand stage?
While Musiala declared himself «ready» in the official World Cup song, his return to the German squad is shadowed by significant doubts. The central concern is whether he can meet the immense expectations at the World Cup. The 23-year-old acknowledged, «I know there are still steps forward I can take, what’s still missing from last season,» as he aims to lead Germany to their fifth star in the tradition of the great playmaker Lothar Matthäus. However, considering a severe injury sustained in the 2025 Club World Cup, he expressed being «very, very satisfied» with his current condition.
Musiala is not yet at his peak performance, as evidenced in the DFB-Pokal final with Bayern Munich against Stuttgart (3-0). However, head coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasized that this is not a prerequisite. «Even if he plays at 70 percent, he’s still better than many others in the world,» Nagelsmann stated, highlighting Musiala’s «extraordinarily good» talent.
Nagelsmann places his faith in the young star. During the initial training session, he frequently encouraged and praised Musiala. «Well done, Jamal,» the head coach was heard calling out across the training grounds in Herzogenaurach. Shortly after, Musiala scored his first «World Cup goal» in training.
Musiala’s Disappointing World Cup Debut and the «Dream» of a World Champion Title
Musiala last showcased his class for the DFB team on March 23, 2025, in a Nations League match against Italy (3-3). The much-vaunted attacking trio of Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Kai Havertz last played together on November 19, 2024, in Hungary (1-1). With Havertz missing the first World Cup test against Finland due to the Champions League final, the trio will only have one more chance to gel before the tournament: the friendly against the USA in Chicago on June 6.
Musiala first appeared on the world stage at the disastrous 2022 World Cup at the age of 19. In three games during Germany’s embarrassing group stage exit, he registered one assist and missed several clear-cut chances.
The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada (June 11 — July 19) was already being billed as «his» World Cup, with the Bayern Munich player being cultivated as a global star both on and off the pitch. He was featured as a «Superhero» in an exhibition with Wirtz and even had a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Berlin alongside icons like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
«I hope I can do a lot more to show my value alongside all the stars,» Musiala commented. He confidently declared winning the World Cup as his «dream» and objective, adding, «We want to make the country proud,» with a shy, boyish smile.
Musiala and the Debate Over World Cup Participation? «Magic Musiala Will Return 100 Percent»
Despite this ambition, in April, a debate, initiated by Oliver Kahn, arose within the footballing nation about whether it would be better to forgo the out-of-form playmaker. However, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany reassured, stating that «Magic Musiala will return 100 percent.» For Nagelsmann, excluding him was never an option.
He praised Musiala’s «incredible gift for solving situations» and his «street footballer gene.» Captain Joshua Kimmich echoed this sentiment, saying, «He is incredibly important because he brings qualities that are very special in world football.»
Musiala has resolved to «not look too far ahead» and to concentrate on «small steps.» Nagelsmann also aims not to «put extreme pressure» on his ball magnet, stating, «He is not the one who has to decide everything alone» — even though he could. «If Flo and Jamal function well,» the head coach concluded, «then we are already good.» And indeed, he is ready.