Few would have believed two years ago that Jamal Musiala, known as ‘Bambi’ for his light build, medium height, and innocent demeanor, would be a vital Germany player for the 2022 World Cup. 

Since breаking through for Bayern Munich in 2020, the 19-year-old has become one of the world’s best prospects. Today, the Germans will play Japan in their Group E opener.

After scoring nine goals and six assists for Bayern Munich this season, the teenage prodigy is anticipated to lead Germany’s аssаult between central midfield and the front line.

Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus compared his speed, passing, creativity, and scoring to Lionel Messi.

Musiala, who moved from Germany to England with his family when he was seven, played in the England junior system and the England Under-21 before joining Bayern in 2019.

Musiala, who is good friends with England great Jude Bellingham, has chosen to play for his own nation in the World Cup, devastating Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

I struggled with the choice. I love Germany and England. After declaring his loyalty, Musiala told The Athletic that both hearts would remain beating.

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala shoots the ball at Saebener Strasse training field in April.

He represented England Under-21 before joining Bayern in 2019.

On May 8, 2022, the football star poses with his family at Allianz Arena. 

Jude Bellingham (bottom row far left) and Musiala (bottom row, second right) are good friends.

Southgate told a news conference, ‘We’d have loved him to remain [with England] for definitely. However, practicing at Bayern Munich every day with Bayern Munich and German players makes it more difficult, and his family has close links.

We appreciated working with him in younger teams. Very pleasant kid to work with. We expected a good player, and he is.

Musiala acknowledged his England childhood for helping him develop his innovative game, which has swiftly made him a rising athletic sensation, on Monday.

Musiala told a press conference, ‘I believe a comparison with Messi is something like an honor.

He has played at the highest level for so long that comparing him is tough. I concentrate on myself and how I can improve as Jamal and keep progressing.

One tip from his English coaches helped him become the player he is today.

I suppose England teaches differently than Germany. I brought many. They said ‘play with freedom’, he said.

‘This is something I brought with me to work and will keep.’

Musiala credits his England background for helping him develop his innovative skill, which has made him a rising star in the sport.

Jamal Musiala poses at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 photo session in Doha on November 17, 2022.

Born to a Nigerian father and German mother in Stuttgart, Musiala grew up in Fulda, central Germany, until his parents relocated to Southampton when he was seven because his mother Carolin was a university student. 

His father Rich went to Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium to find a local club and met Jazz Bhatti, who works for the Saints Foundation charity and runs City Central with his brother Rosh. 

Jazz proposed bringing little Jamal to Rosh’s Saturday morning instruction. 

Musiala, who reportedly didn’t understand English, played for 10 minutes until Rosh called his brother. 

“Some of the stuff he was doing was ridiculous – I couldn’t believe he was seven,” he told the Telegraph.  

“He outperformed us in everything we showed. He was exceptional too. He scored five goals rapidly in one game, but he saw his teammates furious they hadn’t scored. He then attempted to score everyone. They everybody did save one, who was furious.

The kids adored him. They stayed to see him workout. He was with us six months but left a legacy.

Born in Stuttgart to Nigerian and German parents, Musiala played for Chelsea.

Chelsea’s Jamal Musiala laid a wreath at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, on December 12, 2014.

At eight, Musiala joined Chelsea’s academy and became close to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s family. He temporarily played for the Saints academy, returned to Germany, and finally returned to London.

He surpassed Hudson-Odoi’s goal-scoring record at Croydon’s Whitgift School, Victor Moses’ alma mater.

He reportedly played chess well and wrote poetry. 

England’s U15, U16, U17, and U21 teams included Musiala. 

Bayern hired him in 2019 after eight years at Chelsea, sending him to Munich with his mother.

A year later, he made his Bavarians debut and scored the club’s youngest goal against Schalke aged 17 years 205 days.

Musiala can play almost every midfield position.

He still receives comments regarding his choice to play for Germany instead of England and sees it as a compliment that supporters are angry he is not representing England. 

Israeli Eli Dasa and German Jamal Musiala figҺt for the ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Israel at PreZero-Arena in Sinsheim, Germany, on March 26, 2022.

‘When I was little, I wаnted to play at Wembley or in a major game.’

“From my time with England in the youth level, they have amazing talents and I played with many of them—Under 21s, 19s,” he remarked.

Many players may have a great career, and I believe England’s youth system is great for building on these skills and improving them.

When you mentioned about shattering hearts, several of my pals contact me saying I should have played for England.

I suppose they’re delighted with my selection despite our jokes.

I’m sure some England supporters won’t be thrilled, but I believe it indicates I’m doing well if I didn’t choose their nation.

At a September pre-match news conference at Wembley, a venue he dreamed of playing at as a boy, Musiala switched between German and English.

‘It’s sort of strange to think about stuff like that,’ said Musiala, who substituted beneath the arch in last year’s Euro 2020 final-16 defeat to England.

I always wаnted to play at Wembley or in a major game as a kid. My passion was football, not where I was.

Musiala said selecting Germany over England was difficult. 

That was my dream—to play in important games and contribute to a team. I’m content with my situation.

Musiala, who was eligible for Nigeria because of his father, said picking Germany was difficult but the correct choice for someone who loves England.

He still talks to Jude Bellingham and Tino Livramento and recalls meeting Southgate as a youngster.

“That was at Corpus Christi, my primary school,” he remarked. Saw him, took a photo. I’m not wearing it, but we snapped a photo. It was good seeing him.

The moment and his Germany game are his priorities.  

Germany plays Spain and Costa Rica and wants to redeem themselves after their 2018 first-round elimination.

‘We have the quality to go far in this competition,’ Musiala added. ‘We all believe we can win the championship. We’re ready to leave.