Jamal Musiala: Why the German teenager is drawing comparisons with Lionel Messi at World Cup?

Jamal Musiala, a 19-year-old phenom from Germany, attributes his rapid rise to football's rising stars to the dynamic game he learned while playing in England's juvenile system.

The 19-year-old is anticipated to lead Germany’s attack, functioning between central midfield and the front line, after an impressive start to 2022/23 with co-player Bayern Munich. Jamal has scored nine goals and also provided six assists since August. Lothar Matthaus, a former Germany captain, even compared him to Argentina's great Lionel Messi because of his passing, pace, creative play, and scoring prowess.

A comparison to Messi, according to Musiala, is an honour. He said it's challenging to compare himself to someone who has played at the highest level for as long as he has. He said that he can only concentrate on himself and what he can do better.


Few would have imagined Musiala, who got the nickname "Bambi" for his innocent demeanour and small stature just two years ago, would become an essential member of Germany's team for the 2022 World Cup. Musiala began his career as a teenager in England, progressing through the national junior system all the way to the under-21s before deciding to play for his nation, giving a blow to the senior team of head coach Gareth Southgate.



His English coaches did give him some advice, though, and it has helped him develop into the player he is now. He explained that one learns different things in England than in Germany.

He will have the chance to showcase his extraordinary abilities on the grandest platform on Wednesday when the Germans open their Group E campaign against a Japanese team which finished ahead of Australia in the AFC qualifying round to secure an automatic ticket at the Qatar event. They also face Spain and Costa Rica and are eager to atone for their shocking group-stage elimination from the previous year, when they placed last in a group with Sweden, Mexico, and South Korea.

Musiala asserted that they have the talent to advance in this competition. He continued that they enter the competition believing they can take home the title. The team is ready to go and well-prepared.

FAQs:

1. What nickname did Musiala get for his innocent demeanour?
   Musiala got the nickname “Bambi” for his innocent demeanour and small stature.
2. Who compared Jamal Musiala with Lionel Messi?
   Lothar Matthaus, a former Germany captain, compared Jamal Musiala to Argentina's great Lionel Messi because of his passing, pace, creative play, and scoring prowess.