“It lacks sensitivity” - Lothar Matthaus hits back after Klopp, Muller claim 23-year-old should not start for Germany in FIFA World Cup opener

× Germany legend Lothar Matthaus lashed out at compatriots Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Muller for claiming that Jamal Musiala should not start for Die Mannschaft at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 65-year-old claimed that Klopp and Muller's comments 'lack sensitivity', asserting that Julian Nagelsmann's side 'needs the quality' of the Bayern Munich playmaker. Ad During a collision with PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma at the FIFA Club World Cup in June 2025, Musiala fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle.

He was out of action for 190 days before making his return to first-team football in January 2026. In the second half of the 2025-26 season, the attacking midfielder scored five goals and assisted six times in 24 appearances across all competitions. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pundits in Germany have questioned whether his position in the country's starting lineup should still be a lock.

Ad Trending Klopp and Muller have suggested that Stuttgart's Deniz Undav is a better pick than for Nagelsmann than Musiala. Matthaus disagreed with the statements and in fact claimed that the 23-year-old will be a vital cog for Germany if they are to make a deep run at the tournament. The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man said (via Mid Day): “I accept their opinion, but I don’t want to let it stand.

I feel it lacks sensitivity. To have a successful World Cup, Germany needs the quality of Musiala. That’s why he needs to be given trust and playing time.

We all know that Musiala isn’t yet at his best. But instead of creating unrest around him, we should be supporting him." Ad At Germany's last major event, the UEFA EURO 2024, Musiala finished as the joint top-scorer of the tournament (three goals).

If he finds his best form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his nation could have a great chance at improving their record of four triumphs at the tournament (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014). "This is the best team energy" - Star Germany defender makes claim ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign German defender Nico Schlotterbeck has revealed that there is a very positive environment within the national squad ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Ad After suffering disappointing group stage eliminations at the two previous World Cups, the pressure has never been higher on Germany to deliver the goods.

Their 2026 squad, consisting of star talents like Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich and Kai Havertz, has the quality to make a deep run at the tournament. Speaking to the Bundesliga's official website, Schlotterbeck claimed that the atmosphere within Germany's camp is the 'best' he has ever experienced. The 26-year-old, who plays for Borussia Dortmund at club level, said (via bundesliga.

com): Ad "What I currently see from us, how we train together, support each other, how much we do together off the pitch – I would say that is the best team energy since I became a national player."Germany will face Curacao (June 14), Ivory Coast (June 20) and Ecuador (June 25) in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. × Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Aaryan Nagraj Germany legend Lothar Matthaus lashed out at compatriots Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Muller for claiming that Jamal Musiala should not start for Die Mannschaft at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 65-year-old claimed that Klopp and Muller's comments 'lack sensitivity', asserting that Julian Nagelsmann's side 'needs the quality' of the Bayern Munich playmaker. Ad During a collision with PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma at the FIFA Club World Cup in June 2025, Musiala fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle.

He was out of action for 190 days before making his return to first-team football in January 2026. In the second half of the 2025-26 season, the attacking midfielder scored five goals and assisted six times in 24 appearances across all competitions. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pundits in Germany have questioned whether his position in the country's starting lineup should still be a lock.

Ad Trending Klopp and Muller have suggested that Stuttgart's Deniz Undav is a better pick than for Nagelsmann than Musiala. Matthaus disagreed with the statements and in fact claimed that the 23-year-old will be a vital cog for Germany if they are to make a deep run at the tournament. The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man said (via Mid Day): “I accept their opinion, but I don’t want to let it stand.

I feel it lacks sensitivity. To have a successful World Cup, Germany needs the quality of Musiala. That’s why he needs to be given trust and playing time.

We all know that Musiala isn’t yet at his best. But instead of creating unrest around him, we should be supporting him." Ad At Germany's last major event, the UEFA EURO 2024, Musiala finished as the joint top-scorer of the tournament (three goals).

If he finds his best form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his nation could have a great chance at improving their record of four triumphs at the