Jamal Musiala faces a lengthy spell out after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle during Bayern Munich’s Club World Cup quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on 5 July.
The 22-year-old was injured in the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium when he was caught by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing a ball near the byline. Musiala cried out in pain, clutching his left ankle before being stretchered off with his face covered by his shirt.
He was taken to hospital for assessment and has now returned to Munich for surgery.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said: “This serious injury and the long absence are a real shock for Jamal and all of us. This hits FC Bayern hard. Everyone knows how immensely important Jamal is for our game and what a central role he plays for our team.
“Furthermore, the human impact is incredibly bitter; we all feel for him. Jamal has just recovered from an injury and will now be out for another long period.
“He will get everything he needs from us. We will support him intensively and be by his side, and we are already looking forward to him being back on the pitch.”
Donnarumma looked away after seeing the injury, while Bayern players were visibly shaken. Captain Manuel Neuer criticised the nature of the challenge.
“You just accept that your opponent might get injured. It could even be a team-mate,” said Neuer.
“So I went over to him and said: ‘Don’t you want—because it was half-time anyway—don’t you want to go over there? Jamal is lying there, he’ll probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury, and I think it’s only right to go over there out of respect and wish him well and just say a little sorry.’
“After that, he went over to Jamal. Fairness is always important, and I would have reacted differently.”
After the match, Donnarumma posted: “All my prayers and well wishes are with you Jamal.”