Bundesliga: Billions and Musiala: Eberl is reminiscent of Messi and Ronaldo

Max Eberl would have liked to play Santa Claus at FC Bayern’s annual general meeting on the day after they further extended their lead in the league table. But the sports board was unable to delight members and fans with the longed-for gift of a contract extension with the young star after Jamal Musiala’s super joker performance in the deserved, but also laborious and ultimately wild 4:2 (1:0) against 1. FC Heidenheim .

Billion sound barrier broken

In the front row, not far from Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, Eberl heard how President Herbert Hainer was able to proudly announce the financial advance into a new “dimension” in Munich’s BMW Park: The Bundesliga Croesus almost exceeded the billion mark in total sales for the first time. In addition, profits rose sharply. After the members’ convention, the satisfied Hainer was “cautiously positive” that Musiala’s contract extension would be successful: “I don’t think FC Bayern has failed in the past because of the money.”

The meeting was primarily dedicated to remembering the football “emperor” Franz Beckenbauer, who died at the beginning of the year and whose legendary shirt number will never be given out again. “The number 5 remains reserved for a unique legacy,” said Hainer. Widow Heidi Beckenbauer and son Noel experienced the emotional moment on stage.

“Get the ink under it”

The 21-year-old Musiala is also expected to become a defining face, perhaps even a legend in the history of the record football champions. The extension of the contract with Magic Jamal, which expires in mid-2026, is the club’s most urgent and highest-priority personnel issue at the moment, even before the further commitment of DFB captain Joshua Kimmich (29).

Both should become the club’s guiding lights for the future, as President Hainer emphasized in his speech. “Jamal was once again a difference player yesterday.” We’re working hard on the big Musiala contract package – and Eberl sincerely hopes “that we’ll get the hang of it at some point.”

As instructed, indeed how dependent Bayern are on Musiala, the 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena once again saw the home win live four days after the cup exit against Leverkusen. Coach Vincent Kompany rested frequent player Musiala for 50 minutes before he brought the irreplaceable player on in the absence of injured striker Harry Kane immediately after Heidenheim’s equalizer to make it 1-1.

Müller’s not stupid idea

Musiala came on for Bayern veteran Thomas Müller. The 35-year-old had back problems after attempting an overhead kick “with a hard landing” and gave up. “I think making room for Jamal wasn’t the stupidest idea,” joked Müller in his typical manner. In fact: Musiala had barely entered the pitch when he vehemently took off with the ball and made it 2-1.

And in stoppage time, the national player put the lid on a game in which Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka, who was also a substitute, also scored for Bayern. The guests, who were totally focused on defense, came back twice, not least with Munich support, with Mathias Honsak making it 1-1 and Niklas Dorsch making it 2-3.

But there is Musiala, who found the “short break after many games in a row good” and was able to attack “with new energy” and scored his eight and nine goals of the season.

Great players decide games

Everything Musiala, or what? Kompany doesn’t like the star cult surrounding individuals, even though he once again emphasized “the incredible quality of Jamal” and the day before had compared Musiala’s importance to that of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Eberl picked up on this after Musiala’s brace. He also reminded of Messi and Ronaldo. “They are simply great players who can decide games. Jamal can do that too, we know that,” said Eberl. Eberl quickly countered that this comparison raises the bar for Musiala’s future salary: “How many times have Messi and Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or? Jamal hasn’t achieved that yet.” But they want to do everything to ensure that Musiala one day also becomes a world footballer – of course in the Bayern jersey.

Trophies are also what FC Bayern are aiming for again in year one under Kompany with the Champions League final at home. The coach, who was unable to be at the meeting because he was preparing for the next game on Tuesday against Shakhtar Donetsk, spoke in a video message to the members who wanted to give them “a lot of joy” this season.

After the previous season without a title, this time only the basketball and soccer women’s trophies were on stage. And the DFB Cup is gone again after the bitter 0-1 defeat against defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. The mood booster against Heidenheim was all the more important. “Frankfurt made a mistake. We have six points ahead of Frankfurt, seven ahead of Leverkusen. That was a good weekend,” said Eberl – even without a big contract present.