JAMAL MUSIALA HEALTH ISSUES, EXPLAINED: WHY BAYERN MUNICH STAR'S 'ABSENCE SEIZURE' CAUSE HIM TO FAINT

Bayern Munich and Germany star Jamal Musiala has struggled with injuries over the past few years, and the 2026/27 club season presented a fresh start from which to springboard back to his best after over a year of struggling with fitness.

Unfortunately, his preparations for the coming campaign have been halted in concerning fashion, as Musiala has suffered bouts of unconsciousness in consecutive preseason friendlies that have put both his immediate and long-term playing future at risk.

Musiala has collapsed during play in two different matches as Bayern Munich prepare for the upcoming season, which starts for the Bavarian giants on Saturday as they meet Der Klassiker rivals Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup.

The Sporting News explains what has been the issue for Musiala and what his prognosis is moving forward as he looks to continue his football career safely and responsibly.

Jamal Musiala on-field collapses

Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala has fainted in two consecutive preseason friendlies, sparking concern amongst the global football fanbase.

First, he fell to the ground during a 3-1 friendly victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday, August 15. He looked woozy on his feet, and new Bayern signing Ismael Saibari ran over to assist him, helping the dazed Musiala to the turf safely.

After that incident, Musiala recovered quickly and returned to training, with the medical staff clearing him of any larger concerns. "The most important thing is that he is well," said Bayern Munich executive Max Eberl to The Mirror after the match. "There's nothing more to say about anything else."

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, blamed the combination of significant heat and Musiala's recent medical struggles for the initial collapse. According to reports, medical tests revealed no significant issues, and he was cleared to continue playing.

However, Musiala suffered another episode four days later, as he again fell to the turf just four minutes after coming on as a substitute in an August 18 friendly against Heidenheim. There was serious concern amongst players from both teams, who surrounded Musiala while the medical staff rushed on. He was able to walk off under his own power, flanked by Bayern Munich trainers.

What has Jamal Musiala said about his condition?

After the second incident in the friendly against Heidenheim, Jamal Musiala took to social media to reveal that his collapses have been due to a diagnosis of "absence seizures." The full statement on Instagram read:

I'm doing well! I am incredibly grateful for your messages and your support! I understand that many of you are worried. I want to put those worries to rest today and explain the situation.

I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary — but treatable —absence seizures caused by a neurological dysfunction. These can lead to the kind of moments that occurred recently, such as during the match against Leipzig or now in Heidenheim. I know they might look scary at first glance, but for me, they are currently just part of my everyday life. I am receiving excellent medical care for this and remain very optimistic. FC Bayern and my personal support network are right by my side, helping me through this. Importantly, there is no further health risk involved. In close consultation and regular contact with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge head-on. With the medical clearance of the neurologists, I want to continue doing what helps my recovery the most: simply living my daily life and pursuing my passion for playing football. I have taken full responsibility for this decision.

Overall, I feel very positive and am on the right track. What helps me most on this journey is continuing to chase victories and titles with my team and with your amazing support. I hope this helps you understand my situation better. At the same time, I ask for your understanding regarding my wish to keep the details of this matter private—sharing them only with my closest circle, the club, and the medical experts.

Despite claims that the issue is relatively minor, it's hard to imagine that after two straight incidents, Bayern Munich would put him back on the pitch without reconsidering his condition and treatment plan moving forward to prevent more recurrences.

What are absence seizures?

Jamal Musiala revealed after his second on-pitch collapse that he had been diagnosed with "absence seizures" that were causing his recent issues.

According to Massachusetts General Hospital, absence seizures "cause a brief, temporary loss of awareness, usually for 5 to 30 seconds." An individual experiencing an absence seizure "may stare into space or look like they’re daydreaming." Usually, the individual returns to consciousness relatively quickly after an absence seizure.

These kind of symptoms can be managed by antiseizure medications. There are sometimes referred to as "petit mal seizures," which translates as “little illness” in French.

According to the Mayo Clinic, absence seizures are far more common in children, and it is rare that the symptoms persist into adulthood. However, they can sometimes be a precursor to a more serious kind of epilepsy that presents with what are known as "grand mal seizures."

It's unclear if Musiala has experienced these symptoms through his childhood, or if they have just recently begun.

Is Jamal Musiala's condition life threatening?

While this typically does not result in physical injury on most occasions, the situation in which the seizure presents could be extremely dangerous.

If the individual suffers a loss of consciousness during an activity that requires consistent attention, such as driving, riding a bike, or other athletic activity, it can create a situation that becomes dangerous by association.

Jamal Musiala age

Jamal Musiala is 23 years old.

The Massachusetts General Hospital writeup claims that absence seizures can begin in children ages 3 to 8 and are most common in those aged 8 to 15. "Although uncommon, some children continue to have absence seizures into adulthood," the article states.

He has been considered one of the best young players in the world for some time, but as he begins to reach the prime of his career, he has been beset with significant injury concerns.

Jamal Musiala injury history

As he transitions from his developmental years into the peak years of his career, Jamal Musiala has struggled mightily with injuries over the past few years.

At first, it began with muscle injuries, as he picked up a series of short-term issues with his hamstring in late 2023. He missed significant time with a hamstring injury in the latter half of the 2024/25 season, missing the final 71 days of the campaign as well as that summer's UEFA Nations League finals with Germany.

Then, the big injury struck as Musiala suffered a gruesome broken leg in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup during a challenge from then-PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, which saw him sidelined from July through the middle of January 2026.

Musiala returned from his fracture but suffered subsequent ankle issues that disrupted his time through the spring of 2026 and saw him fail to return to his best form by the World Cup later that summer.

- Kyle Bonn

GERMAN MATHEMATICIAN WHO CORRECTLY PREDICTED 3 WORLD CUPS NAMES TEAM TO WIN 2026 TOURNAMENT

• German economist and mathematician Joachim Klement has predicted the Netherlands will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup

• Klement says his prediction is based on an economic model rather than pure football analysis

• He points to the country’s record of reaching three World Cup finals as evidence of its strong football system

German economist and mathematician Joachim Klement has predicted that the Netherlands will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, extending a forecasting model he says has correctly identified the winners of the previous three tournaments.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Klement said his prediction is based on an economic model rather than football performance alone.

German economist Joachim Klement predicts the Netherlands as winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup using an economic model. Photo credit: Picture Alliance/Roberto Schmidt/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

He explained that the model evaluates four key factors: population size, climate, national wealth and current FIFA rankings.

According to Klement, countries with larger populations have broader talent pools and stronger fan support, while wealth enables investment in sports infrastructure and player development. Climate, he said, can also influence a team's performance.

Although traditional football powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Spain remain among the favourites, Klement believes the Netherlands consistently performs above expectations.

He noted that despite never winning the World Cup, the Dutch national team has reached three finals, which he said reflects the country's strong football culture and effective talent development system.

Klement acknowledged that his latest prediction may surprise many football fans, as the Netherlands is not widely regarded as one of the leading favourites to lift the trophy in 2026.

- Edwin Abanga 

- 

BUNDESLIGA TABLE | MATCHDAY 27

 

TOP 20 GREATEST GERMAN PLAYERS OF ALL-TIME

 

SEX BETWEEN ATHLETICS IS MORE COMMON | SUSEN TIEDTKE

Susen Tiedtke, former German long jump athlete, explained that sexual relations at the Olympic Games are something natural because of the unique context in the Olympic Village.  

According to her, athletes arrive after years of discipline and extreme pressure, and when they finish competing they experience a very strong emotional release.  

On top of that, they are in peak physical condition, with high levels of adrenaline and hormones activated by the competition.  

In addition, thousands of young athletes live together in the same place, far from their usual routine, sharing celebrations and an atmosphere of euphoria that encourages intimate connections.

WEN RUIBO VS. PATRICK FRANZISKA | MEN'S SINGLE FINAL | WTT CONTENDER MUSCAT 2026

 

GREMAN CLUB SHARE STATEMENT AS FOOTBALLER KILLED IN SKI-SLOPE CHAIR-LIFT ACCIDENT

Reports have confirmed that the tourist killed in a ski-slope chair-lift accident in Montenegro has been identified as Sebastian Hertner. The German footballer tragically died at the Savin Kuk ski resort

As per the Daily Mail, the 34-year-old was on holiday in the Durmitor mountain range last Saturday with his wife when the double chairlift they were riding became detached from its cable and collided with the seat behind it. Hertner, who is said to have fallen from the list, died at the scene.

His 30-year-old wife, who was riding with him, suffered a broken leg and had to be rescued by emergency services and taken for medical treatment, having been left trapped in the chair. At least three other tourists were also left stranded in their chairs for several hours before rescue teams were able to safely bring them down.

Hertner was a former defender who played professionally in Germany for a number of year, playing for VfB Stuttgart as a youth player, before featuring second division teams such as 1860 Munich, Erzgebirge Aue and Darmstadt in the second division.

As a youngster, he earned caps for Germany at U18 (14 caps) and U19 (5 caps) level, playing alongside future senior internationals, including Felix Kroos (brother of Toni), and World Cup winner Christoph Kramer. In 2024, he joined ETSV Hamburg in the Oberliga, which is Germany's fifth tier, becoming club captain.

Montenegrin authorities ordered the immediate closure of the chairlift following the incident as prosecutors launched an investigation. A full technical inspection of the lift will be carried out, with an official cause yet to be confirmed.

ETSV Hamburg confirmed his death in a statement shared on Instagram, expressing just how saddened and shocked they were after losing their captain. In full, the post read:

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce today that our captain Sebastian Hertner had a fatal accident while on holiday. We are stunned and endlessly saddened.

"Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Sebastian."

Stuttgart also shared a statement, which read: "VfB is mourning the loss of its former youth player Sebastian Hertner, who has tragically lost his life at the age of 34 in an accident. For seven years, Sebastian Hertner wore the shirt with the red chest ring and played 65 matches for VfB II in the 3. Liga. Our sympathies go to his family and loved ones."

Reporting reveals that mayor of Zabljak, Rados Zugic, stated that the incident was being treated with the utmost seriousness, stressing that visitor safety was essential in a region that relies heavily on tourism. He said: "We insist on a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine those responsible."

Even so, Serbian news outlet Blic, via Daily Mail, has reported that the ski lift had resumed operations just the following day.

- Hal Fish

GERMAN MACHINES | BEST GERMAN GOALKEE8 OF ALL-TIME

 

SIMBU AND PETROS SPRINT FOR GOLD AS SIMBU EDGES WITH A RECORD PHOTO FINISH

ICONIC GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM JERSEYS FROM 1934 TO 2022

 

GERMAN SOCCER STAR MULLER DEBUTS WITH WHITECAPS IN DRAW WITH DYNAMO

VANCOUVER - Thomas Muller's Major League Soccer debut was almost perfect. 

Almost. 

The German soccer icon came off the bench for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday and put the ball into the back of the net just minutes later. 

Then the offside flag went up.

“I think the moment when I scored the goal was amazing. The noise in the stadium and then also the reaction of my teammates, that was a great start for me," Muller said. "In the end, the result was a little bit disappointing. But that's the game. That's the game.”

The Whitecaps (13-6-7) settled for a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo (7-11-8).

Hours before kickoff, hundreds of fans gathered at Terry Fox Plaza outside B.C. Place to welcome Vancouver's newest star. 

Many in the crowd were clad in crisp new Whitecaps jerseys emblazoned with Muller's No. 13, while others wore the red kit he formerly sported at Bayern Munich. At least two people wore lederhosen, a nod to the World Cup winner's Bavarian roots, and several German flags lined the barriers.

Muller signed with the Whitecaps on Aug. 6 after playing 17 seasons for Bayern in the German Bundesliga. There, he became a household name, scoring 250 goals across all competitions and helping the club to 33 titles, including 13 league championships. 

He also excelled on the international stage, winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany and taking home the Golden Boot from the 2010 tournament after notching five goals and three assists.

The 35-year-old attacking midfielder joined the 'Caps after his contract with Bayern was not renewed. He will remain with the club through the 2025 season on a deal that includes a Designated Player option for the 2026 campaign. 

Expectations for Muller were high on Sunday night, said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen, despite his limited time acclimating to a new team.

“First and foremost, it’s about blending him together with his teammates," the coach said. "I think he did very well. I think he has a high football IQ so he understands where to position himself and which spaces to attack.”

The sold-out crowd of 26,031 rose to their feet before kickoff Sunday when Muller was introduced on the big screen. He replied by standing and clapping for the crowd before taking his seat on the sidelines. 

Fans had another reason to cheer early in the game after Vancouver midfielder Jayden Nelson was taken down inside the penalty area by Griffin Dorsey. 

Referee Jon Freemon pointed at the spot and people rose to their feet as Brian White lined up to take the penalty in the sixth minute. The American striker then rolled a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net as Houston 'keeper Jonathan Bond dove in the opposite direction. 

The goal was White's team-leading 13th of the season. 

Boisterous cheers emanated through the crowd in the 61st minute when Muller came on for homegrown talent Jeevan Badwal.

Three minutes later, the German soccer legend blasted a shot into the back of the Houston net from the top of the penalty area. The play was quickly whistled down for being offside.

“Of course, everybody had hoped for the result of the magic moment that came when Thomas put the ball in the back of the net," Sorensen said. "Unfortunately, it was a very narrow offside. But you know, that's what can happen.”

Houston spoiled Muller's welcome party in the 91st minute when Amine Bassi slipped a pass to Artur at the top of the penalty area and the central midfielder sailed a shot in past the outstretched fingertips of Vancouver 'keeper Yohei Takaoka to level the score at 1-1. 

“You have little bit of a feeling that you lost the game even though you didn’t," Sorensen said. 

Muller said the pace and intensity of his first MLS match were high, but there are areas away from the ball where he sees room for improvement. 

“In the end, we have to take the result, and we have to take our game and improve it in the next couple of weeks," Muller said. "I'm now fresh into this team, I'm new into the league. I need a few weeks to figure out what's right or wrong. But to be honest, I feel very good after this game.”

Sunday's game capped a whirlwind week for Muller. 

Hundreds of fans were on hand to welcome him when he touched down at Vancouver International Airport on Wednesday and on Thursday a crush of media greeted him at an introductory press conference. He got his first taste of Vancouver weather on Friday when rain soaked his first training session with the team. 

“The first days were busy, but in a positive way," Muller said. "I learned a lot about the culture. I met very nice people. I had a very warm welcome in this city, and also to the whole club. I was enjoying it a lot, and I want to continue our way to more. So I’m excited." 

Life in Vancouver is a change from Munich for the soccer star.

Though the sport's popularity continues to boom throughout Canada, Muller is not yet a local celebrity in Vancouver — and he's enjoyed a tiny taste of anonymity in recent days. 

"When I walk through the city, it's nice to meet some people cheering for the Whitecaps, but it's also nice to go to the supermarket and buy my own stuff. I can relax a little bit between the lemons and the blueberries," he said. "But I'm here to lead this team to something special.”

NOTES

Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon left the game at halftime with knee pain. … Midfielder Ali Ahmed came on for Vancouver in the 61st minute. It was his first game action since spraining his ankle while playing for Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup nearly two months ago. … Kenji Cabrera came on in the 91st minute, making his home debut for the 'Caps. 

NEXT UP 

Vancouver: The Whitecaps host St. Louis City SC on Saturday. 

Houston: The Dynamo host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. 

- The Canadian Press

GERMAN ATHLETE LAURA DAHLMEIER HAS DIED IN A CLIMBING ACCIDENT IN PAKISTAN, OFFICIAL SAYS

 

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died on a mountain peak in northern Pakistan following a climbing accident, and efforts are underway to retrieve her body, a local government spokesman said Wednesday.

Dahlmeier, an Olympic gold medalist, was climbing Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range on Monday when she was struck by falling rocks. Rescuers on Wednesday confirmed Dalhmeier’s death on the mountain, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the regional Gilgit-Baltistan government.

Her body will be brought to the city of Skardu when it is retrieved by rescuers, Faraq said.

Military helicopters were on standby to assist but have been unable to deploy because of bad weather, Faraq said. Climbers including two Americans have been attempting the same ascent done by Dalhmeier to try to join the rescue operation, he said.

Authorities launched the rescue mission Monday after receiving a distress signal from Dahlmeier’s climbing partner, Marina Eva, who managed to descend to base camp with help from rescuers Tuesday.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier offered his condolences to Dahlmeier’s parents, writing that she “was an exceptional sportswoman.” He recalled that he presented her with the highest honor on German sport, the Silver Laurel Leaf, shortly after she won her first Olympic gold medal in 2018.

“Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders,” he said.

Dahlmeier was injured at an altitude of about 5,700 meters (18,700 feet) around noon Monday, according to her management team in Germany. German broadcaster ZDF reported she suffered serious injuries in a rockfall.

Dahlmeier won seven gold, three silver and five bronze medals at Biathlon World Championships, along with 20 World Cup races and the overall World Cup in the 2016-17 season, according to her website.

She won gold medals in the sprint and pursuit races at the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018 and the bronze medal in the individual competition.

Dahlmeier ended her biathlon career in 2019, when she was 25. She grew up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the German Alps and turned to mountaineering challenges after ending her biathlon career. She had been a state-certified mountain and ski guide since 2023 and volunteered for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team.

Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes.

The region has also been battered by above-normal seasonal rains, triggering flash floods and landslides. Since last week, at least 20 Pakistani tourists have been missing after floodwaters swept them away near the northern district of Chilas.

Copyright © 2025 The Washington Times, LLC.

- Riaz Khan, Associated Press

BARCELONA GOALKEEPER MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL BACK SURGERY

The German needed the operation to address persistent lower back problems.

March-Andre ter Stegen missed nearly all of last season because of a tendon rupture in his knee, and in 2023 he missed about two months because of another back operation.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen underwent successful back surgery on Tuesday, the club said. Barcelona did not say how long Ter Stegen will be sidelined, but the player had said the recovery time would be about three months. Ter Stegen needed the operation to address persistent lower back problems. The 33-year-old German missed nearly all of last season because of a tendon rupture in his knee, and in 2023 he missed about two months because of another back operation.

Barcelona added Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García to its squad last month. Iñaki Peña was the team's reserve goalkeeper last season.

- NDTV Sports

ZVEREV MAKES WINNING TORONTO RETURN AFTER A MONTH OFF COURT

Top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates a victory over Australian Adam Walton to reach the third round of the ATP Canadian Open (MATTHEW STOCKMAN)

Alexander Zverev made a storming return after a month away from tennis on Tuesday, with the top seed pounding out a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 win over Adam Walton to reach the third round of the ATP Toronto Masters.

The German top seed, who lost in the Wimbledon first round, has spent the last weeks dealing with mental burnout and also made a trip to Rafael Nadal's Mallorca academy for consultations and perhaps some career advice during his time away.

The ATP world number three came from 4-1 down in the opening set tiebreaker and did not face a break point until he found himself down 0-40 as he tried to serve out victory leading a set and 5-3.

Though he lost that game, the German immediately broke back, with his Australian opponent double-faulting on a Zverev match point.

His victory included a massive 52-shot rally, with the triumph putting Zverev on 499 wins for his career.

"Sometimes it's just about winning," Zverev said. "It was not the prettiest match, though."

The 2017 champion in Canada will now play Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who  defeated qualifier Tristan Schoolkate 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and number five Holger Rune both eased into action with comfortable straight set wins. The pair began after byes and wasted little time in advancing into the third round, with Musetti hammering Australian qualifier James Duckworth 7-5, 6-1.

Rune dispatched big hitter Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (9/7), 6-3.

Number eight Casper Ruud put out Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-3 for another seeded win.

The event is missing the absolute cream of the player field, with both number one Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz out with injury and fatigue issues.

Musetti, a former semi-finalist at both Wimbledon and Roland Garros, was ruthless with Duckworth, advancing in 82 minutes.

He broke for a set and 5-1 on his opponent's double-fault and finished up a game later with an ace.

The Italian is coming back into form after losing his only grass match of the summer (Wimbledon) and then going down last week in his Washington opening match. His last victory came in early June in the Roland Garros quarters.

Musetti had 17 winners while Duckworth was undone by more than 30 unforced errors.

The Italian next faces American Alex Michelsen, a 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 winner over Chilean qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera.

Rune, who was back in action a month after a first-round Wimbledon defeat, handed French Mpetshi Perricard a fourth career loss against top 10 players.

Denmark's four-time finalist at the Masters level produced his first hardcourt win since last March at Indian Wells.

"It was a very tricky first match for me, he's a big server and (there was) not a lot of rhythm in the match," Rune said after his 75-minute win.

"I had to really take care of my own serve, and then just look for the opportunities.

"It was about finding a way to win at the end of the (first set) tiebreak.

"In the second set I was pretty good when it mattered. I think I was serving very well today."

World number nine Rune limited his unforced errors to just 10 -- less than half of those struck by his opponent.

Elsewhere, 11th seed Karen Khachanov beat Juan Pablo Ficovich of Argentina 6-4, 6-2.

Last year's winner in Canada, Alexei Popyrin, defeated local wild card Nicolas Arseneault 7-6 (9/7), 6-3.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov continued his unlucky home streak taking a 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 loss to Learner Tien and extending a losing run dating to 2019 at home.

Tenth-seeded former champion Daniil Medvedev got through his opening match and will next face Popyrin after a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win against Czech lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina, ended with more than 40 unforced errors.

- AFP

'I LOST TO NOVAK DJOKOVIC ' - ALEXANDER ZVEREV ISSUES BLUNT RESPONSE TO BORIS BECKER'S CRITICISM AFTER FRENCH OPEN EXIT

Alexander Zverev recently responded to Boris Becker's criticism of his performance in the French Open quarterfinals. The German lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. The Serb delivered an exceptional performance and claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory

Following his loss at the French Open, Zverev received sharp criticism from former tennis star Becker. The six-time Grand Slam winner said Zverev should stop training under his father, as he needs a change of environment to improve his performance.

"You get the impression that he plays in the same rut against the top players and hopes that the result will be good. The father and brother did a great job, but it wasn't good enough for the last step," said Becker (as quoted by Blue News).

Zverev responded bluntly, stating that he lost to Novak Djokovic, one of the best players, and not to 250th-ranked Hans Peter. He also spoke about his relationship with Becker, stating:

"I still see myself as a candidate to compete against the two guys up there. I lost to Djokovic, not to Hans Peter, who is ranked 250 in the world.I also had a lot of contact with Boris before he made that statement. I still have massive respect for him. I will always listen to what he has to say, but I don't always have to agree," said Alexander Zverev in the press conference ahead of Stuttgart Open.

Zverev is preparing to compete at the Stuttgart Open, which is slated to commence on Wednesday, June 11.

Alexander Zverev opened up about his loss at the French Open

In the post-match press conference, Alexander Zverev made his feelings known about the French Open, stating the reason behind his loss. The German revealed that the weather affected his performance as it was too cold. He said (as quoted by GB News):

"It was very, very cold. So my serve speed was not very high.Again, as I said, I think when the sun completely went down, it was difficult for me to get through the court a little bit. It was difficult for me to find, you know, kind of ways to be dominant in the rally, because my serve was neutralised very well by him."

"Then also, I felt like my groundstrokes, every time I tried to be aggressive, I was not really doing much. It was difficult for me to find a solution, I think, in the cold conditions," Zverev added.

Alexander Zverev commenced his 2025 season by competing at the Australian Open, where he reached the final but fell short of claiming the title after losing to Jannik Sinner 6-3, 7-6(7), 6-3. The German has claimed only one title this season so far, after he bested Ben Shelton in the BMW Open by Bitpanda.

- Nancy Singh

MIKEL ARTETA CONFIRMS ARSENAL LOOKING INTO SIGNING FREE AGENT AFTER SIX OPTIONS EMERGE

Mikel Arteta could enter the free agent market after losing Kai Havertz to injury (Image: Arsenal FC)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was giving nothing away when he was asked how the club plan to deal with the absence of Kai Havertz, who will not play again this season

Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule anything out after losing Kai Havertz for the rest of the season as Arsenal weigh up entering the free agent market.

The Gunners were already light on attacking options before Havertz tore his hamstring during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The Germany star was Arsenal's sole recognised senior striker, leaving Arteta with a major problem.

With no new striker signed in the January transfer window, Arteta will now have to weigh up his options. And while that could mean playing somebody out of position, a surprise new signing is another option.

When he was asked if Arsenal would look at the free agent market, Arteta responded: “We’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”

While Arteta and Arsenal may be open to the idea of exploring the free agent market, it remains to be seen if there are any viable options that the club would consider, even in their current plight.

Former Gunner Carlos Vela, now 35, is one of a handful of unattached players who could be available to ease Arsenal's striker crisis.

Ex-Chelsea man Diego Costa has Premier League experience but didn't make much of an impact after signing a short-term deal with Wolves back in 2022 when they were experiencing a striker crisis of their own.

Havertz will not play again this season after tearing his hamstring ( Image: Getty Images)

Leandro Damiao, Lucas Perez, Mariano Diaz and Maxi Gomez are some of the other forwards currently without a club. None, though, would be considered good enough to lead the line for Arsenal in different circumstances, which underlines the dilemma Arteta and the club currently face.

After stressing that any free agent would have to be able to 'play at our level' and contribute to the team both on and off the pitch, Arteta was asked if, in hindsight, failing to sign a striker in January was a mistake.

"We always put in that situation that we were one or two injuries away from a very risky situation," he responded.

"But when you try your best and think you have done everything you are capable of and have done your homework and try that and don’t achieve it you can have regrets but at least you know you have done it."

- Dan Marsh

ARSENAL CONFIRM KAI HAVERTZ'S DEVASTATING HAMSTRING INJURY AND REVEAL HOW LONG HE IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT

•  Arsenal have confirmed that Kai Havertz will need surgery on his hamstring  

• The German international suffered a hamstring injury during their trip to Dubai 

• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Will Liverpool recover from Everton blow in season-defining week? 

Arsenal have confirmed that Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury while training in Dubai - and the prognosis for his time on the sidelines is a major blow.  

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Tuesday night that the Arsenal star had suffered the worrying hamstring injury scare while on club’s training tripin the United Arab Emirates. 

Well-placed sources indicated that the injury will result in Havertz spending a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Now the club have confirmed that Havertz will have surgery in the coming days befoe undergoing a recovery and rehabilitation programme which will extend into pre-season.

'Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible,' the club said in a statement on its website.  

The news arrives as a crushing blow to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is already without several attacking players with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all missing through injury.

Havertz is the club’s top scorer this season with 15 goals and his absence will hit their ambitions of overhauling Liverpool at the top of the table this season.

Arsenal were criticised for not adding an attacker to their ranks during the January window and the injury to Havertz will only serve to intensify the backlash.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have explored the option of Takehiro Tomiyasu undergoing surgery to cure his long-standing knee problem.

The Japan defender has played just six minutes of football this season, coming on as a late substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in October following a three month recovery from a knee injury that saw him miss the start of the season.

But he has not featured since that win over the Saints after suffering an injury setback.

Indeed, Mail Sport understands there is emerging concern for Tomiyasu’s long-term fitness with club medics believed to have given serious consideration to the option of an operation for their versatile defender.

It is unclear whether a final decision on surgery has been made - but it has been an option discussed at the club’s London Colney HQ.

A new operation would require a lengthy rehabilitation programme and likely rule Tomiyasu out for a significant period of time.

In 2023, Tomiyasu underwent his first knee operation which kept the 26-year-old out of action for three months.

With that in mind, a second procedure on the joint would arrive as a blow to Tomiyasu, whose time at Arsenal has been beset by injury issues.

Speaking last month head coach Mikel Arteta provided a positive update on Tomiyasu’s fitness saying: ‘Tomi has done some stuff on the pitch, but now because it’s been a long-term injury, we need to see how quickly he can progress and how he reacts.’

But there is now some pessimism regarding Tomiyasu’s fitness amplified by the discussions over a potential operation.

The imminent return to fitness of Ben White will help to soften the blow of Tomiyasu’s ongoing unavailability.

White, who himself underwent knee surgery in November, is set to return and could be named in the squad to face Leicester this weekend.

- LUKE POWER and SAMI MOKBEL

THOMAS TUCHEL ON REACTION SURROUNDING HIS APPOINTMENT AS ENGLAND MANAGER

 

GERD MÜLLER VS. FRANZ BECKENBAUER | GERMAN LEGENDS

 🔴 The first on the right is Gerd Müller, the only player to have won all possible individual and team titles. 

He won the World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the Bundesliga, and the German Cup. He was the top scorer in the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup, and scored in the finals of the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and German Cup. 

He won the Ballon d'Or and was named the best player in the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, and Bundesliga.

⚪️ The second is Franz Beckenbauer, one of the best defenders in history. He won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach with Germany. 

He was named the best player in Germany twice (1974 and 1976). He won the European Cup with Bayern Munich three consecutive times (1974, 1975, 1976), as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972. 

He won the Bundesliga four times and the German Cup four times with Bayern Munich, and the American Soccer League three times with Cosmos. He also won the European Championship with Germany in 1972 and earned the Ballon d'Or twice.

At a time when the German national team had the best defender and the best striker in the world. 

BREAKING: THOMAS TUCHEL APPOINTED ENGLAND HEAD COACH

Thomas Tuchel will start his England post on January 1 and will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry; Lee Carsley will again take charge during the November international break; Tuchel: "We will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud"

Thomas Tuchel has been appointed the new England manager

Thomas Tuchel has been confirmed by the FA as  new England head coach.

The German - who becomes the Three Lions' third foreign coach after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello - signed his contract on October 8 and will start work on January 1.

Tuchel will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, who worked with him at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Lee Carsley will remain in interim charge of the senior team during the November international break for games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, before returning to his previous post as U21s manager.

Tuchel said: "I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already. To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.

"Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud. I want to thank the FA, in particular Mark [Bullingham] and John [McDermott], for their trust and I am looking forward to starting our journey together."

The German boasts considerable elite-level experience having led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 and also taken charge of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Tuchel will speak as England manager for the first time on Wednesday afternoon, at a press conference starting at 1.30pm. You can watch it live on Sky Sports News and on Sky's digital platforms.

Who is new England assistant Barry?

Liverpudlian Barry first met Tuchel when the German joined Chelsea in 2021, having already been at the club working under Frank Lampard.

Anthony Barry worked with Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich

He is widely regarded as one of the most promising upcoming English coaches and while he was at Chelsea, several Championship sides considered making him their manager.

At Chelsea, Barry undoubtedly made an impact under Tuchel - so much so that he stepped in as Chelsea caretaker boss when the German had Covid-19.

Barry then joined Tuchel's backroom staff at Bayern Munich. and also held assistant manager roles with the Republic of Ireland, while he was also Roberto Martinez's No 2 in the Belgium and Portugal national team set-ups.

Tuchel has credited Barry for the quality of his analysis, as well as his personality and drilling on the training pitch, and Barry is also known to be a set-piece specialist.

Speaking after being appointed England manager, Barry said in a statement: "For any Englishman in football, working with the national team is the pinnacle and I didn't hesitate when Thomas asked me to come and join him again.

"I know what a great place St. George's Park is and how much of an advantage it gives our England teams, and the support it gives to coaches.

"This squad is very talented and have done so much to bring the country together, I look forward to meeting and working with them on this exciting project."

- skysports.com