Bayern's Musiala Diagnosed with Neurological Disorder after 2 On-field Collapses

Munich's Jamal Musiala, center, leaves the pitch due to an injury during a pre-season soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)
Munich's Jamal Musiala, center, leaves the pitch due to an injury during a pre-season soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)
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Bayern's Musiala Diagnosed with Neurological Disorder after 2 On-field Collapses

Munich's Jamal Musiala, center, leaves the pitch due to an injury during a pre-season soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)
Munich's Jamal Musiala, center, leaves the pitch due to an injury during a pre-season soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala said on Tuesday he has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder after collapsing during a match for the second time in four days.

The 23-year-old went down six minutes after coming off the bench in Bayern's 4-2 friendly win at Heidenheim and required medical attention before being assisted from the pitch.

The ⁠Germany international also ⁠collapsed during Bayern's 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday.

"I've been diagnosed with temporary, brief, but easily treatable absences caused by a neurological dysfunction," Musiala posted on ⁠Instagram.

"These can lead to episodes like the ones that occurred recently - such as against Leipzig or just now in Heidenheim.

"I know these can seem scary at first glance - but for me, they're currently part of my everyday life. I'm receiving the best medical care for this and am ⁠very ⁠optimistic,” Reuters quoted him as saying

Musiala added that doctors had ruled out any further health risks.

The midfielder, who has made 231 appearances for Bayern, was sidelined for six months last season after fracturing an ankle at the Club Cup, but he recovered to return later in the campaign and played for Germany at the 2026 World Cup.



SKorean Footballers Report Heat-related Symptoms, Call for Stronger Safeguards

Rain falls on a dried-up reservoir in drought-hit Miryang, about 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul, South Korea, 16 August 2026.  EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT
Rain falls on a dried-up reservoir in drought-hit Miryang, about 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul, South Korea, 16 August 2026. EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT
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SKorean Footballers Report Heat-related Symptoms, Call for Stronger Safeguards

Rain falls on a dried-up reservoir in drought-hit Miryang, about 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul, South Korea, 16 August 2026.  EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT
Rain falls on a dried-up reservoir in drought-hit Miryang, about 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul, South Korea, 16 August 2026. EPA/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

South Korean professional footballers urged stronger protections against extreme heat after a survey by the Korea Pro-Footballers Association showed many players hit by dehydration, dizziness and temporary lapses in consciousness during competition.

It found 86.2% of respondents suffered significant physical strain while playing in the heat, among 536 players from the K League and WK League surveyed during a summer when pitch temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees F).

Nearly two-thirds (64.7%) complained of dizziness during matches or training, while 56.6% had severe dehydration, with 13% having lapses in consciousness.

"The fact that over 70 players ⁠experienced dizziness, dehydration, ⁠and even temporary loss of consciousness is a glaring red flag," KPFA President Lee Keun-ho, a former national team player, Reuters quoted it as saying in a statement.

The union called on the Korea Football Association (KFA), K League and WK League to introduce mandatory heat protocols, saying the current safeguards do not sufficiently ⁠protect players.

Almost half the respondents said they were dissatisfied with the current cooling-break system that usually gives players a break of just over three minutes once temperatures reach a specified threshold.

Nearly 90% supported changes to existing match operations during extreme heat. More than half favored later kick-off times, while others backed postponing or cancelling matches when heat advisories are in effect.

The union said women players often face additional challenges, with some matches ⁠scheduled during ⁠the hottest part of the day on artificial surfaces and at venues without adequate air-conditioned changing facilities.

"Playing under the scorching sun on artificial turf that traps and radiates heat is essentially forcing athletes into a furnace," KPFA Women's President Ji So-yun said.

"Just as professional baseball proactively cancels games for the heat, football needs to stop mechanically following a rigid schedule and actually prioritize player health and safety."

The KPFA said the findings should also prompt a broader discussion on South Korea's football calendar, with some players supporting a switch to an autumn-spring schedule.


Al-Nassr Defeats Al-Diriyah to Reach Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup Round of 16

Félix celebrates scoring Al-Nassr's fourth goal. (Al-Nassr on X)
Félix celebrates scoring Al-Nassr's fourth goal. (Al-Nassr on X)
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Al-Nassr Defeats Al-Diriyah to Reach Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup Round of 16

Félix celebrates scoring Al-Nassr's fourth goal. (Al-Nassr on X)
Félix celebrates scoring Al-Nassr's fourth goal. (Al-Nassr on X)

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr secured a place in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup Round of 16 after a convincing 4-1 victory over Al Diriyah in their Round of 32 match at Alawwal Park in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Al-Diriyah took an early lead in the second minute through Óscar Rodríguez. However, Al-Nassr quickly responded with three goals from Mohamed Simakan in the 11th minute, João Félix in the 35th, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan in the 37th, ending the first half with a 3-1 lead.

In the 68th minute of the second half, Félix scored his second goal of the match and Al-Nassr's fourth.

Al-Nassr's coach Ange Postecoglou underscored his team's positive start, despite playing the match just two days after their previous encounter.

Postecoglou said his team conceded an early goal, but the players' reaction and the mentality helped them make a comeback and secure victory.

On Cristiano Ronaldo, Postecoglou said that Al-Nassr's captain is working very hard, noting his recent participation with the Portuguese national team in the World Cup.

He said he was training hard, expecting him to gradually feature prominently with Al-Nassr.


Real Madrid Officially Presents José Mourinho in a Closed-door Ceremony

File: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
File: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Real Madrid Officially Presents José Mourinho in a Closed-door Ceremony

File: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
File: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

In an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans, Real Madrid officially presented coach José Mourinho on Tuesday.

The event took place at the club's headquarters in Madrid, with president Florentino Pérez welcoming the coach. The only images of the presentation were provided by Real Madrid TV and the club's website and social media accounts.

“I'm one of you,” Mourinho said in a message to fans in a video released by the club. “And not just today, but since I arrived in 2010 and after I left in 2013, always with you. ... To return to Real Madrid is to return home.”

Madrid said the coach was signed for three seasons until June 30, 2029.

After the signing, Madrid said Mourinho received a replica of the stadium, a watch and a jersey with his name.

Madrid has been revamped after a second consecutive season without a major title. In addition to Mourinho, who replaced Álvaro Arbeloa, the club also brought in players such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande.

Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham will lead the squad again as it tries to keep Barcelona from winning a third straight La Liga title. Mourinho was hired in June and officially took over in July at the start of the preseason.

He is back for a second stint with Madrid some 13 years after he left the club. He was in charge from 2010-13, winning a Spanish league and a Copa del Rey. He was more remembered for his confrontational personality that ended up splitting his own squad and alienating all but the most hardcore fans, as well as a large part of the local media.