In an interview with Bild, Musiala spoke about his goal in Germany's 7-1 victory over Curaçao. The German international revealed how he grew during his recovery from a serious injury and the message Bayern legend Müller sent him before the match. Musiala also looked ahead to the upcoming fixture against Côte d'Ivoire.
Mr. Musiala, after scoring to make it 4-1 against Curaçao, you smiled as if you wanted to embrace the whole world. How did you feel after the goal?
That goal made me very happy. I don't think I've ever been so happy since my injury – that was definitely one of my best performances since returning. A lot of things went well, and I felt free and in good form on the field. I will continue to maintain this feeling.
You mentioned your serious injury. Exactly one year ago, you suffered this injury during the Club World Cup in the United States. Since then, people have continuously discussed it. Do these questions annoy you?
I know that as a footballer, this is part of the profession. The road back to the field requires a lot of effort and patience, and this process can be tough at times. But I firmly believe: even if things don't always go smoothly, you must see the positive side. Although sometimes it's not easy to do so. I think I learned the most this year. Not just in football, but I also grew as a person. I now know that to recover from a serious injury like mine, you must have patience. And when you finally make that step, the significance of this progress will be even greater.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, you were still Germany's breakout star. Four years later, you have become one of the team's core players. Do you pay attention to public comments from TV commentators like Jürgen Klopp, Müller, and Matthäus about your playing time?
You can believe me: I absolutely do not watch or read what commentators say. Even without looking, I can probably imagine what they would say. But I consciously stay away from comments and reports about me. I only focus on myself. For me, the most important thing is to keep my mind clear and relaxed. Only then can I stay fresh and energetic on the field. As for my role, Julian (Nagelsmann) will tell me everything I need to know.
Müller once suggested before the World Cup that Undav should start instead of you. Did he contact you privately afterward?
Yes. Thomas sent me a message before the match against Curaçao, wishing me good luck. He sometimes gives me advice, but usually only when we meet in person.
What lessons will you take from the 7-1 victory over Curaçao into the next match against Côte d'Ivoire?
Our team collaborated very well. An early equalizer like the 1-1 can sometimes disrupt a team's rhythm and mentally shake the players. In the past, we have had such situations, but this time we stuck to our game plan, carried out our tasks as instructed, and achieved a good start to the tournament. However, we must now immediately shift our focus to the next match against Côte d'Ivoire.
Côte d'Ivoire defeated Ecuador 1-0 in their opener and could be the strongest opponent in the group stage. How will this change your role in Germany's tactical system?
This question is difficult to answer. I don't think my basic role will change much. The difference is that Côte d'Ivoire has stronger attacking power, so I must put more effort into defense and expend more energy. However, I am increasingly enjoying this work now: winning the ball back is a lot of fun! As for attack, we must seize the opportunities we get. If we can maintain the performance we showed against Curaçao, we should be able to create enough chances.