Bayern President Hainer Backs Star Player Musiala, Disagrees with Kahn

Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer has thrown his support behind the long-injured German international Jamal Musiala, disagreeing with former Bayern board member Oliver Kahn's recent statements.

"I don't understand that at all. Every footballer wants to go to the World Cup. And when Jamal is fit, he is one of the absolute best we have in Germany," Hainer told the Bild newspaper, addressing Kahn's recommendation.

Kahn, speaking on the Sky talk show 'Triple', had suggested that the 23-year-old should forgo the summer World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada and instead focus on regaining his form. Both Musiala himself and other Bayern professionals and officials, such as sporting director Max Eberl, have countered Kahn's remarks.

"Every team in the world would want someone like him (Musiala) on their team. Game by game, he will continue to get back into form, and we were all delighted that he recently scored the historic 101st goal," Hainer emphasized. "He deserved that. Jamal plays with so much joy. If he stays fit and healthy, he must go to the World Cup."

Max Eberl Urges Patience with Jamal Musiala

Musiala suffered a severe injury last summer during the Club World Cup, dislocating his left ankle and breaking his fibula. The attacking player underwent surgery and was sidelined for a significant period, only making his league comeback in mid-January. The long break is still noticeable, although he scored the opening goal in Bayern's recent 5-0 victory over St. Pauli, marking the team's 101st goal of the current Bundesliga season.

Bayern had anticipated this. "We knew that reintegration would take time, both physically and mentally," Eberl had said to Sky before the St. Pauli match. Musiala needs to regain the "courage" to enter a game "without thinking, 'does it hurt down there now, will someone tackle me from behind?' These are all processes."