Sat in a studio in Munich, Germany, Jamal Musiala is getting a pre-shoot shape-up in the chair next to me. The atmosphere felt familiar – reminiscent of the many black barber shops located in London. But in this instance, the football talk is with one of the brightest star boys in world football, Jamal Musiala.
With over 100 games played and over 30 goals scored for Bayern Munich, a World Cup appearance, more than 25 international caps, and a last-minute title-winning goal – all achieved before the age of 21 – Musiala’s accomplishments far exceed his age. But what truly sets him apart is his freedom on the pitch; that ‘Musiala Magic’. I wanted to find out the origins and the inspiration behind this calm expressiveness.
"It’s always about playing with the freedom to express yourself at England camp”, the midfielder explains, reflecting on his early days. "That's where you figure out what works for you and what doesn't, and I've definitely brought that side of my game even more now”.
Despite our eight-year age gap, Musiala’s footballing idols mirror those of many who grew up and kicked a football in the late '90s and early 2000s. "When I was young, it was Ronaldinho, then Messi and Neymar”, he told me. We joked about the elite Joga Bonito era of Nike adverts, and that infamous Ronaldinho crossbar video, which had every playground arguing whether or not it was real, and the elite Joga Bonito era of Nike adverts.
“The one with the gold boots? I’ve probably seen every Ronaldinho Video”, he added.
Some of Musiala’s family had joined us on the shoot, and that family support is something that has been ever-present throughout his life and career. “I wouldn't be where I am today without them”, he tells me. “Everything that I've gone through with them and even now, I take the time to talk to them about everything. Any thoughts, or if anything is bothering me – I talk to them. Even on the footballing side, I always trained with my dad. He was always there every game supporting me. My mum and dad were always who I spoke with to reflect on my game”.
Musiala spent eight years at Chelsea’s academy, playing for England at every youth level from Under 15 to the Under 21s, before switching to play for his country of birth, Germany.
I put it to him that his whole life has been set up to make it to the top of professional football. Does he ever have a moment just to reflect on where he is and the big moments that he’s delivered for club and country? “Everything goes so quickly. You never really have the time to really take the moment in. I think especially after the World Cup. I really took time to take everything in, and even after the Bundesliga-winning goal. I really let it sink in where I am right now. It's for me to keep working and have more of these moments”.
One thing that stays consistent with all of the great players I have been fortunate enough to interview is that they never spend too long dwelling on what they have achieved, it’s always what's next? How do I keep improving? This was never more apparent than during our interview.
In his younger years, a special group of young players lined up next to Musiala for England, including Jude Bellingham. “To think when we were still playing for the under 16 and under 15 teams that we’d be playing first-team football right now. In that moment you wouldn't think that – it would just have been another dream really”.
Other teammates have also broken into their respective clubs first teams. “Yeah, it's crazy to think about, like even like my friend Tino (Livramento) is playing at Newcastle. We were at Chelsea together not long ago. Even Levi (Colwill) has now broken through at Chelsea’s first team”. It’s a support group of young men at the top of professional sport that is important to Musiala: “We're always in contact, and whenever the time fits we’ll try and see each other”. I wanted to know how coming through the academy and youth football with this group had helped. He told me that his age group and the year above “all had a very high level, and I think we felt that a little bit in the training sessions and the games we played in training there were never any easy games. We always pushed each other to do the most – and had a lot of fun too”.
The conversation moved on to when he felt he had arrived on the world stage. “I think the World Cup was definitely one where I think I was performing really well. The World Cup is where you have to be at your best, and I really felt like I kept up with the competition and that I realised I could really play at this level”.
Just as the curl sponge came out, the conversation moved to fashion. Sporting a pair of Crocs, some pretty standard banter about whether they were cool or not began, but given his usual high standards of fashion, both myself and the barber Nat gave him a pass. But how would he describe his style? “I think mine's probably more of the chilled, clean kind of looks. I try to look on Instagram, or if I see other players wearing something, then take some inspiration from them”.
I asked which other players in particular he drew inspiration from, but he kept his fashion co-signs close to his chest: “I can't say the name because they'll feel too proud about themselves”.
I asked how the German style had influenced him over the last few years. “I think the first couple of years here I would say my style was pretty bad. You always have to kind of see what works for yourself. Figure it out slowly what fits me and what looks the best on me”.
Jamal is a big NBA fan, and gave props to the fashion we see pre-game in the NBA. “I like D. Brook – Devin Booker. I think like the NBA players have some nice style”.
In arguably my favourite moment during any interview, ever. Jamal nervously checked what Nat the barber was going to do next. Anyone who is part of the loyal-to-your-barber group will understand the anxiety of letting someone new near the shape-up. Turning to me for some reassurance, he said: “you know with different barbers you always have to focus and then once you see them once or twice, you know you are alright”. The laughter died down and we were back to basketball.
“I have always loved basketball. I follow it quite a lot. I feel like the whole vibe from basketball is nice. The players present themselves confidently, but I like how much fun they have and everything but also how hard they have to work to get to the level they are is definitely something we can take away from”.
That theme of expression and fun we see in the NBA is visible in Musiala’s game on the pitch. Away from the ridiculous footwork, perfect balance, and cultured finishing, it's the midfielder’s celebrations where we get to see the entertaining side to his usual calm personality. “Each celebration has to fit the vibe really”, he tells me. “It's definitely a time where you can show more of you. I’ve got some NBA celebrations I haven’t bought out yet”. Might we see a LeBron James “little man” celebration? “I was thinking about it. But I need to score headers!”
As the barber added his final touches and asked what to do with the chin hair, Musiala, sounding probably the least calm I had heard him yet, responded with a “no no, I’m desperately trying to grow it”. I recommended some castor oil and a microneedle through some laughs, and we kept the conversation moving.
Sitting down with Musiala, one could easily feel as if they were talking to a seasoned pro. His approach to both football and life reflects a level of maturity that far exceeds his years. Beyond his focus on future goals and aspirations within the game, the midfielder has already embarked on a journey to give back to the community through The Musiala Foundation.
"I try to put myself in their shoes and offer the support I would have wanted at their age. For me, it's about providing opportunities for them to showcase their talents”, he explains, his passion evident in his words. The foundation hosts football tournaments with a strong emphasis on instilling good values in young individuals. "We teach values that are essential for everyday life, not just in football but also in work or any other sport. These are the values I grew up with, and I want to give back and see if it can make a difference in their lives”, he adds.
As Germany prepares to host a home European Championships, undoubtedly a lot of their newfound optimism will fall on a 21-year-old wearing the iconic number 10. Looking ahead to the tournament, he says: “We didn’t make it so far in the World Cup, so hopefully we can change that”.
On the pitch, one thing that ran throughout the time spent with Musiala is his emphasis on self-improvement and entertainment. Off it, and his calm and reflective persona clearly contributes to the player we see performing at the highest level on a global stage. In Jamal Musiala football has not just a prodigious talent but a young man with all the personal qualities you could want.
With the world at his feet, I finished by asking what his younger self would make of where he is in his life. “I think a younger me would tell me to keep doing what I’m doing but keep having fun at the same time, the same fun I have been having since I was 10 years old with a ball at my feet”.
