Bayern Munich star told to skip World Cup by Germany icon

Jamal Musiala has responded to a wild claim from Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn that he should skip this summer’s World Cup.

The 40-cap Germany international has endured an injury-plagued season after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle last July.

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Musiala was stretched off in Bayern Munich’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup and sidelined for seven months.

He finally made his return in mid-January after spending 196 days in the treatment room following a tangle with Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, the emergence of Lennart Karl in his absence alongside the red-hot form of Bayern’s attack have meant Musiala has struggled to break back into Vincent Kompany’s first-choice XI.

The 23-year-old has started just four of his 14 appearances for the club and was left out of Julian Nagelsmann’s recent Germany squad.

Former Bayern CEO Kahn has since made waves by suggesting that Musiala should skip the World Cup to help him return to the top level.

“I think he should forgo going to the World Cup,” Kahn told Sky.

“If I feel that something isn’t right in my game, then I have to work on myself to be ready again.

“Jamal, like everyone else, has to be at 100 per cent if he wants to play.”

Kahn’s comments drew a strong reaction from Bayern boss Kompany and Musiala himself, following the 5-0 away win at FC St. Pauli.

The latter was handed only his third Bundesliga start of the season, and rewarded his manager’s show of faith by opening the scoring.

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Musiala scored and assisted against St. Pauli to take his tally to two goals and three assists in only 10 Bundesliga games.

The former Chelsea youth talent told Sky post-match he had not “read exactly what [Kahn] said”.

Yet Musiala added, “I definitely want to go to the World Cup.

“My aim is to help the team as much as possible until the end of the season, then to do the same for the national team.”

“It was a good game; I’m getting more involved in the action and scored a goal. I’m happy with my performance today,” Musiala added.

“Every minute I get is good for me. I’ve taken a step forward, but there are still many steps I can take. I really feel much better than I did a month ago.”

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Bayern head coach Kompany stressed, “Jamal Musiala is not yet at his best, but that is normal. He is progressing.

“Please be patient with him; he is on the right path. Today’s performance was a step in the right direction.”

On the call for Musiala to skip the World Cup, Kompany replied: “I saw Oliver Kahn in training once. It was incredible.

“He would have travelled to the World Cup with a broken arm and a broken foot. That’s a compliment.”