Jamal Musiala was met with cheers and applause from German fans as he was substituted late in the second half of the Euro 2024 match. With two goals in two games and an outstanding performance, Musiala has already proven himself to be a rising star of the tournament. The 21-year-old player scored the opening goal of the match against Hungary after a set-up by Ilkay Gundogan and came close to scoring again later in the game. His manager, Julian Nagelsmann, praised his offensive skills and ball control, emphasizing the importance for Musiala to focus on enjoying his football and not letting the pressure get to him.
Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen and ex-defender Alex Scott have both praised Musiala’s contributions to the German team, with Scott referring to him as the “starboy”. Musiala’s performance at Euro 2024 has drawn comparisons to Hungary’s Ferenc Bene, who holds the record as the second youngest player in European Championships history to score in each of their first two starts. Former Germany international Robert Huth commended Musiala for his magical footwork and ability to create opportunities for his team.
Despite the high expectations placed on Musiala, Nagelsmann has advised him to approach the game with the same joy and freedom as he would on a casual pitch with friends. The focus for Musiala should be on enjoying the game and not letting the pressure affect his performance. As Germany looks ahead to their next match against Switzerland, Brentford boss Thomas Frank believes that Nagelsmann has successfully orchestrated the cohesion of key players like Musiala, Gundogan, and Kroos in the midfield, which will be crucial for the team’s progress in the tournament.