Bayern Munich superstar Jamal Musiala has become the biggest topic of conversation around the Bundesliga coming out of the international break, and that’s because of a controversial column posted by noted troll hot-take artist Didi Hamann; it’s become easy to forget that Hamann is taken seriously based on the credential of being a former star player at big clubs like Liverpool and Bayern.
Hamann’s latest target was one of the most popular and talented players in world football, Bayern’s crown jewel Musiala. The attacking midfielder is viewed as being a gem on the level of Lamine Yamal or Jude Bellingham, yet Hamann thinks Musiala shouldn’t even be compared to Bayer Leverkusen peer Florian Wirtz.
He made the case that Bayern Munich should replace Musiala with Wirtz, in light of transfer rumors linking Wirtz to Bayern – and those linking Musiala to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City.
The basis of the argument is laughable and has been derided by Bayern fans, who bring up Musiala’s assists and passing quality. But Hamann thinks Musiala is too individualistic and not progressing enough as a passer in comparison to Wirtz.
A much bigger Bayern and footballing legend, former midfielder Lothar Matthaus, jumped to Musiala’s defense in BILD, via @iMiaSanMia:
“Didi is someone who likes to go against the grain with his opinion. I see it completely differently. Musiala is not a solo performer – absolutely not. If he has to go 1v1, he does it. But he also sees his free teammate.
For example, when Füllkrug scored against Hungary; Jamal could have done it himself. Musiala is not above anything, not even duels. Another example: intercepting the ball in front of goal against the Netherlands, when de Ligt made the mistake.
Musiala plays and works for the team. He’s not at all selfish, he counter-presses, and when he has the ball, he assists his teammates when it’s possible and makes sense. Jamal acts absolutely in the interests of the team. And because he does that, he also has the freedom – and must have it – to dribble when he thinks it’s right”
Bravo, Lothar, bravo. Nobody could have summed up the counterargument to Hamann’s ridiculous, attention-grabbing claim about Jamal Musiala better. The kicker was the part where he basically called out Hamann has someone who just stirs up trouble for the sake of it.
German papers have reported that Bayern Munich will attempt to talk up Musiala and calm down the flames of this hot take without giving Hamann any extra attention, possibly because they are worried about potentially losing him if the attacking midfielder feels he is not supported by the club.
It’s all so ridiculous. Musiala is a superstar, he is Bayern’s most valuable player, he is the center of the project, and he should spend his entire career in Bavaria just like Thomas Muller. End of discussion.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.