Bild: Musiala is expected to return in the second half of January

After a six-month injury and rehabilitation period, Bayern Munich midfielder Musiala's return to the pitch is entering a crucial phase. According to Bild, the German international is expected to return to the field in January.

Musiala's injury occurred on July 5th during the Club World Cup quarter-final, when Bayern Munich lost 0-2 to Paris Saint-Germain. He suffered a fractured fibula in his left ankle, along with multiple ligament tears. Musiala subsequently returned to Germany from the United States, underwent surgery in Murnau, and began a 26-week systematic rehabilitation process. During his rehabilitation, Musiala received extensive physiotherapy training on Säbener Straße and underwent individual rehabilitation sessions under the guidance of rehabilitation coach Simon Martinello. On December 16th, he officially returned to team training, and his recovery is progressing steadily.

Bayern had hoped that Musiala could be included in the matchday squad by the end of 2025 in the early stages of his recovery, but the club consistently adhered to a gradual approach, without putting any pressure on the player. Despite the smooth progress of his rehabilitation, the final decision was made to schedule his official return for January of this year. While other key players rested during the winter break, Musiala continued his individual training. Currently, he is gradually increasing the intensity of his training with the team, aiming to fully integrate within the month and be able to train with his teammates under high-intensity conditions.

It is expected that Musiala will return to the field in the second half of January under the guidance of head coach Kompany. At that time, it will be nearly 200 days since his injury, a moment considered a crucial milestone eagerly anticipated by Bayern Munich and its fans. With a packed schedule in January, including Champions League matches and several league games, Bayern has ample time to prepare for Musiala's return. Simultaneously, Kompany's team will gain a key option in their already potent attacking system, providing more tactical possibilities for the second half of the season.