Musiala: "I've gone up a level"

bundesliga.com: Jamal, you have a big game against Leipzig on Friday. How do you feel about playing them?

Jamal Musiala: "It’s always tough. We’ve had finals against them before, and it’s definitely a big game. It’s always tough against them. We lost against them in one game last season. It’s something we definitely need to prepare for now. We have a couple of extra days to get some energy back and be fully ready for the game."

bundesliga.com: You’ve scored a few headed goals recently. Is this the result of any special training?

Musiala: "No, no special training. I watched clips with Tiger [Hermann Gerland] when I first came up with the team and used the heading practice machine. But I haven’t done that since. Now, I think it’s just getting in different positions, keep doing what I do with the ball, but also finding different positions in the box and trying to get in positions to score easy headers or tap-ins. That's what I wanted to bring more into my game this season."

bundesliga.com: In contrast, your dribbling ability has been known for a long time, meaning you are often fouled or tackled. How do you manage to stay so calm, and have you got used to it now?

Musiala: "I wouldn’t say I’m always very calm after tackles. There are videos of me getting mad here and there. I try to stay as calm as possible. Sometimes, I just let the referee know. I don’t think I get mad with the player too often, but I just let the referee know that after one or two fouls, maybe a yellow card should be given, and he has to play it a bit differently. But over the years, like my dad always said, it’s part of the game. I don’t try and just fall down easily. I always try and play on as much as possible. If I do go down, it’s probably a foul. But I always just keep the motivation to keep going in the dribbles and not be scared in the moment."

Watch: All of Musiala's goals and assists so far in 2024/25

bundesliga.com: You can head, dribble, finish, and tackle – but where can you still improve?

Musiala: "I think there are always different points. I always speak with the coaches – I’ve had a couple now – and every one always has something different they wanted me to improve on. One of the points this season was the headed goals and finding good positions to get those easy goals that were missing in my game. I’m happy how that’s been coming. Overall, everything can always get better. It’s always the little things in training, trying things, and taking everything a level higher.

bundesliga.com: When did you realise you were a special talent? Was there a particular moment when you realised you could play at the highest level?

Musiala: "It’s tough. You always hear how tough it is to break through when you’re younger. I was at Chelsea and playing well for a while, but then I had a couple of years where I wasn’t as good due to growing pains and stuff, and I was struggling. You always have little doubts in your head, but I think that’s where my mum and dad always kept me positive and focused. They always helped me to believe in myself. Once I was feeling better, I could feel that I was good technically and I could keep getting better, and I therefore hoped that I would break through eventually."

bundesliga.com: You once said your idols were Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho. Do you have any people who inspire you at the moment – either athletes or non-athletes?

Musiala: "Still Messi and Ronaldinho, but probably Neymar now as well. Most of the time when I was younger, before every game I would watch Neymar skills and goals on YouTube, which was quite funny, but I don't do it anymore. I'm also inspired by those from other sports. You have Steph Curry and what he’s been doing over the years, and how he’s still performing now, for example. There are also Bayern players, like Thomas Müller and Harry Kane, whom I can learn a lot from."

bundesliga.com: What role does Vincent Kompany play in the team’s development and what role has he played in yours personally?

Musiala: "From the start, he’s implemented his tactics and his philosophy. I’ve found it very good. For me personally, I think I’ve gone up a level. That’s always what I try to do, and I’m always open to talking about where he thinks I can still take a step forward. I think we’ve had a good start, but there are still things we can work on and improve. That’s what makes next year exciting too – we can see how well we can play. Now we’ve had a couple of games we can definitely learn from and take into next year. It’s just about taking it game by game and learning from each one, so when the big important games come, we have all the knowledge to hopefully win them."

bundesliga.com Which of your Bundesliga goals you’ve scored is the most special to you? Do you have a favourite?

Musiala: "I think I’d have to go with the goal I scored against Cologne that won us the title. I don’t think I could choose any other goal, even if they were better. That was my best moment in the Bundesliga."

Watch: Musiala's title-winning strike against Cologne in May 2023

bundesliga.com: What are your next objectives with Bayern and the national team?

Musiala: "With the national team, we definitely want to win the World Cup, of course. Every player wants to win the World Cup. Now we have the Nations League which we can focus on and take momentum from into the World Cup. We’re up against Italy, and we want to win that first.

"At club level, right now it’s just step by step. I know we have goals to win titles and stuff, but right now, it’s just about winning games and finishing the year strong. We want to win the game against Leipzig hopefully, and make it into the top eight in the Champions League, first of all."