Bayern Munich’s Musiala cleared for Bundesliga opener after routine surgery

Jamal Musiala is set to line up for Bayern Munich when the 2026/27 Bundesliga season opens on August 28, despite undergoing minor surgery in early July. The 23-year-old had a metal plate removed from his left leg, a planned follow-up to the serious fracture and ankle dislocation that nearly derailed his career just over a year ago.

From nightmare injury to routine cleanup

Rewind to July 5, 2025. Musiala suffered a left leg fracture and dislocated ankle. He wouldn’t see competitive action again until mid-January 2026, roughly six and a half months later.

His first Bundesliga appearance post-injury came against RB Leipzig, where he registered an assist. He was fit enough to represent Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Shortly after Germany’s World Cup exit, Musiala went under the knife on or around July 6-7, 2026. With the World Cup concluded and roughly seven weeks before the Bundesliga opener, the window for a planned hardware removal was about as ideal as it gets.

Kompany has characterized the surgery as entirely routine, describing it as standard medical protocol rather than a response to any new setback during the World Cup.

What this means for Bayern’s season opener

Bayern Munich hosts VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on August 28 to kick off the new campaign. The club has been emphatic that Musiala will be available for selection.

That seven-week recovery window is generous for hardware removal surgery. These procedures typically involve smaller incisions than the original repair, shorter rehabilitation timelines, and far less structural concern.

The bigger picture for Musiala and Bayern

Removing the metal hardware is often the final chapter of that rehabilitation arc. Players frequently report improved comfort and mobility once plates and screws are taken out, particularly in weight-bearing areas. For a 23-year-old whose career depends on explosive movement, removal is the more common path.

The procedure also eliminates risks including metal fatigue, irritation, or the hardware interfering with soft tissue during high-intensity activity. With the plate out, Musiala’s leg is closer to its pre-injury state than it has been at any point since July 2025.

Kompany has given every indication that Musiala will be fully integrated into pre-season preparations well before the Stuttgart match.

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