JAMAL MUSIALA RETURNS: CAN BAYERN’S “BEST PLAYER” RECLAIM THE BUNDESLIGA THRONE
Harry Kane celebrates Jamal Musiala’s return after 164 days out. Will the German star feature in Bayern’s final game of 2025?
Harry Kane is happy to have Jamal Musiala, who he thinks is Bayern Munich's best player, back on the team after being out for six months with an injury. The 21-year-old German player has been out since July. He got hurt during Bayern's match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup.
Musiala Returns to Training
Musiala's return to training this week at Sabener Strabe marks a huge step in his recovery. He was badly hurt last summer and had to be stretchered off after a bad hit. He needed surgery and a long recovery, which Bayern's doctors took slowly. They watched every step closely as he worked to move again and regain his strength and confidence. His first outdoor practice on Tuesday was a big sign of progress.
Kane Is Excited to Have Musiala Back
Kane quickly shared how glad he was to see Musiala back. He told Sky Sports Germany, "It's great to have him back." Even before he got hurt last season, I thought he was often the best player on the team. It's like we've signed two great new players, like Alphonso Davies. I'm really happy they're back. They're important, especially with how we play. They fit in perfectly because of how strong they are, how they start plays, and how they run.
Kane also said that people shouldn't expect too much too soon and that Musiala needs time to get back to his best.
He said, They shouldn't feel too pressured and should focus on getting fit first. That will take a few weeks. But we'll need them even more when February comes, and things get really important.
Bayern Is Doing Well Despite Musiala's Absence
Even though Musiala has been out for a while, Bayern has still been doing great. Under Vincent Kompany, they've only lost one game in all competitions, thanks to their strong attack. Kane has been leading the way, with help from Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry. Young player Lennart Karl has also been doing well, showing how much talent Bayern has. Because of this, Bayern can afford to be patient and not rush Musiala back, as they lead the Bundesliga.
Kompany has been careful about how much people expect from Musiala's return. Before Bayern's 2-2 game with Mainz, he said that Musiala is close to being ready to play, but they won't take any shortcuts.
Jamal is getting close, he said. Hopefully it will be next week. But I want to be clear that there's no pressure on Jamal or the doctors. Hopefully, he can get in some practices before Christmas. That would be good for him and the team. Then, he can start playing in January. That would be ideal.
Davies; Musiala's Return Boosts Team Morale
Alphonso Davies also recently returned after being out for nine months with a knee injury. He and Musiala are looking forward to starting 2026 in great shape. Captain Joshua Kimmich talked about how hard it can be mentally to deal with these kinds of injuries. He praised Davies' strength and said that both Davies and Musiala stayed involved with the team even when they couldn't play.
The way he handled his rehab was amazing. "I don't think I could have done it with as much energy," Kimmich said.
He always tried to stay close to the team. He's been with us in the locker room for months, coming to the games and hanging out with Jamal, playing music, and trying to keep everyone's spirits up. That's something you can't take for granted.
It's unlikely that Musiala will be rushed back for Bayern's last game of 2025 against Heidenheim. Instead, they're planning for him to return in January so he can get back into shape without pressure. They expect him to be a key player from February on, when the games get more important.
BAYERN MUNICH HELD: VUSKOVIC AND VIEIRA STUN KOMPANY IN A WILD 2-2 HAMBURG DRAW
Luka Vuskovic and Fabio Vieira shine as Hamburg hold Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw. Read the full Bundesliga match analysis here.
Bayern Munich dropped points again in the Bundesliga, settling for a 2-2 draw against Hamburg up north. Harry Kane and Luis Diaz both found the net for Bayern, who took the lead after Fabio Vieira had put Hamburg ahead with a first-half penalty. But Luka Vuskovic, who was everywhere for the hosts, powered in a header to snatch a well-earned point in a wild game at Volksparkstadion.
Early on, Bayern tried to quiet down the home crowd and pushed hard for the first goal. Still, it was Hamburg who struck first. About 30 minutes in, Nicolai Remberg beat Joshua Kimmich to a loose ball and drew a foul from the German midfielder. Fabio Vieira, on loan from Arsenal, coolly slotted the penalty past Manuel Neuer and into the bottom corner.
Bayern didn’t waste much time. Within ten minutes, Serge Gnabry slipped behind the defence and whipped in a cross. Kimmich’s awkward shot landed at Kane’s feet, and the England captain smashed it home. Kompany threw on Luis Diaz at halftime, and it paid off instantly. Diaz finished off a slick pass from Olise less than a minute after coming on.
Hamburg weren't rattled, though. Just eight minutes into the second half, Vuskovic muscled past Alphonso Davies and hammered in a header from William Mikelbrencis’ cross. Hamburg almost took the lead when Neuer fluffed a clearance, leaving Vieira with an open goal, but Davies raced back to clear it off the line. Bayern pushed for a winner and shouted for a couple of penalties, but the referee wasn’t having it. In the end, both sides walked away with a point.
Standout player? Luka Vuskovic, no question. The Croatian centre-back, on loan from Tottenham, gave Hamburg steel at the back and kept Kane pretty quiet. His equaliser—already his fourth of the season—showed a hunger and skill Spurs have been missing lately.
On the flip side, Vincent Kompany has to take some heat. The Bayern boss did well bringing on Diaz, but you wonder if starting him would’ve made the difference. Bayern had the lead but couldn’t finish the job, and Hamburg deserved their share of the spoils.
HARRY KANE REVEALS HIS "FAVORITE GERMAN DISH" IS ACTUALLY A REWARD FOR SCORING
It’s a ritual! Harry Kane reveals how local chef Stefan Kastner delivers free veal schnitzels for every goal he scores for Bayern.
Every time Harry Kane scores for Bayern Munich, he gets a free dinner—no joke. There’s this local pub owner who drops off a schnitzel for every goal Kane bangs in for the German champs.
The man behind this tradition? Stefan Kastner, chef and superfan, runs the Buchenhain Forest Inn. He doesn’t just send the food—he actually drives out himself to Kane’s place and hands it over. Kastner’s from Baierbrunn, a suburb just outside Munich, and he swears his schnitzels give Kane that extra push on the pitch.
Kane, by the way, calls these deliveries a “ritual”. He even lets Kastner—everyone calls him the “Schnitzel Guy”—swing by past security whenever he’s due for a drop-off. With the way Kane’s scoring, that’s happening a lot.
Funny thing, though—Kane’s strict about his diet. No chips, ever. Kastner says, “At first, I just did it as a fan. Now, it’s a real tradition. I’ve been at this for over a year, and I’d say we’re up to 50 or 60 schnitzels so far. I don’t deliver one after every single goal. I wait until he’s scored a couple, then I drive over, usually around six in the evening. Lately, I wait for two goals before making the trip. Then I bring a veal schnitzel with roasted potatoes, plus another with potato salad.”
When the local paper TZ ran the story, Kane owned up—he loves schnitzels. “It’s turned into a ritual. It’s lovely. Honestly, it’s probably my favourite dish in Germany. Some people say it’s Austrian or Bavarian, but either way, it’s my top pick since moving here.”
He’s quick to admit he doesn’t eat every single one. “They get delivered, and my family or whoever’s at the house digs in. It helps us feel like we’re part of the community,” he says.
“And really, this was Stefan’s idea. I doubt he thought I’d score this many goals. But, yeah, it’s just a good story. It feels right.”