JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has withdrawn from the German national team squad after suffering a torn muscle fiber in his right thigh, forcing new manager Jürgen Klopp to make changes to his squad for the ongoing UEFA Nations League season.
Musiala was ruled out shortly before Germany’s Nations League opener against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday 24 September after picking up an injury in the build-up to the match. Further tests confirmed the muscle injury, prompting the 23-year-old to leave the national team camp and return to Munich for treatment. Project reports
Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jonathan Burkardt have subsequently joined the German squad earlier than initially expected as Klopp responds to injuries that have hit his squad.
Musiala ruled out after late withdrawal
Musiala was initially called up by Klopp for the match against the Netherlands, but was withdrawn shortly before kick-off with a thigh problem.
The Bayern star did not feature in Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, with Nadiem Amiri taking his place in the starting line-up. Musiala was subsequently subjected to further medical tests, which confirmed the tearing of the muscle fibres.
The injury means he will be unavailable for Germany’s immediate Nations League duties and he has now returned to Bayern Munich to begin his recovery.
Reports indicate that the injury is expected to keep him out for several weeks, although the exact recovery period will depend on his rehabilitation.
Wirtz arrived earlier than expected
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, was initially included in the second of Klopp’s two German call-ups for the current international window.
Klopp had taken an unusual approach to his first international job as Germany manager, naming two separate groups of players for four Nations League matches spread across September and October.
Wirtz was originally designated for the subsequent matches against Serbia and Greece. However, the injury situation pushed him to reunite with the senior group earlier than expected.
The 23-year-old therefore becomes an immediate option for Klopp as Germany prepares for their next Nations League match.
Burkardt also soon joins
Jonathan Burkardt was also brought forward from the German second team.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker was initially selected for the final matches but has now joined Wirtz in reporting early to the national team’s training camp.
Their early arrival gives Klopp further attacking options following injuries to Musiala and Arsenal striker Kai Havertz.
Havertz was forced off during Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, adding to the selection problems facing Germany’s new coach.
Klopp begins Germany tenure with injury setbacks
Klopp’s first international assignment as Germany manager has already presented him with a number of selection challenges.
The former Liverpool manager took charge following Germany’s disappointing season at the 2026 World Cup and introduced a new approach to team management by selecting 44 players in two groups for four Nations League matches.
The first team was supposed to handle the first two matches against the Netherlands and Greece, while the second group was supposed to take over for the matches against Serbia and Greece in October.
The deal was designed in part to manage players’ workloads during an increasingly congested football calendar.
However, injuries to Musiala and Havertz forced Klopp to change his plans sooner than expected.
Germany is occupied by the Netherlands
Germany began their Nations League season with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday.
Felix Nmecha gave the visitors the lead in the 32nd minute before Cody Gakpo equalized for the Netherlands in injury time, scoring in the 90+2nd minute.
The result gave Klopp a point in his first competitive match in charge of Germany, but a late equalizer denied his team a winning start.
Germany will now turn their attention to their next Nations League match against Greece, while Klopp assesses the availability of his players following the latest injuries.
Jonathan Tah remains in the team
Contrary to initial reports, Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah was not called up as a substitute.
Tah was already part of Klopp’s original squad and was selected for the first two Nations League matches. The DFB squad’s initial announcement listed Tah among the defenders chosen for the Netherlands and Greece matches.
The players included in the first group ahead of schedule are Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt.
Their arrival provides Klopp with further attacking and creative options as Germany deal with their latest injury setbacks.
Musiala begins recovery
For Musiala the focus is now on recovery at Bayern Munich.
The midfielder has become one of Germany’s most important attacking players and was part of Klopp’s original 24-man squad for the opening Nations League matches.
His withdrawal represents another setback for a player who has had to manage fitness issues in recent periods, although Klopp confirmed the latest issue is a conventional football-related muscle injury.
Germany will therefore continue their Nations League campaign without one of their main strikers, while Wirtz and Burkardt have been included in the squad earlier than expected to help Klopp manage the situation.
