Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich's rising star, has stunned fans with a heartfelt admission about his childhood admiration for Lionel Messi and Barcelona.
The 21-year-old, who has become a key player for both Bayern and Germany, opened up about his early love for the Catalan giants during a time when Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta dominated European football.
Musiala's confession comes at an uncertain time for Bayern, as speculation about his future grows.
With his contract expiring in 2026 and no extension in sight, the playmaker's recent comments have added more fuel to rumors of a potential move.
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Speaking to Sport BILD, Musiala revealed how Barcelona influenced him as a young football fan. "FC Barcelona was my favorite team," he said.
"The midfield with Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets fascinated me. I could watch their games over and over again."
Musiala went on to share that Messi was his idol. "On the back of my shirts as a kid, the name was almost always Messi. He was my hero, my favorite player."
The admiration didn't stop there, as Musiala also mentioned Neymar as one of his inspirations. "I also had a Neymar shirt," he added, highlighting Barcelona's golden era as a major influence on his career.
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With top clubs across Europe reportedly monitoring his situation, Musiala's future at Bayern remains uncertain.
Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, has been linked as a possible destination. A move would reunite Musiala with the footballing philosophy he admired as a child.
For now, Bayern fans hope Musiala's love for his childhood heroes doesn't turn into a dream move away from Munich.