“A professional player would never make a tackle like that,” Xabi Alonso criticized goalkeeper Donnarumma after his terrible clash with Musiala, and he demanded that FIFA impose a severe sanction on him.
In a dramatic and emotional FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final match, the football world was left in shock after a devastating incident between Bayern Munich star midfielder Jamal Musiala and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The collision, which occurred in the closing stages of the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, left Musiala seriously injured. The 22-year-old reportedly suffered a fractured fibula that could sideline him for up to five months. The aftermath of the incident has sparked intense debate, with Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso leading the criticism of Donnarumma, accusing the Italian goalkeeper of reckless play and calling for FIFA to impose a severe sanction.
The incident occurred when Musiala, one of Bayern’s brightest stars, entered the PSG box to collect a loose ball. Donnarumma, known for his imposing presence in goal, ran out to collect the ball but collided violently with Musiala, who suffered a freak twist to his left ankle from the impact. Slow-motion replays showed the young German midfielder writhing in pain, his foot twisted at a terrible angle. The stadium fell silent as medical staff rushed to Musiala’s aid and eventually carried him off the field on a stretcher. Bayern players, including Harry Kane and Michael Olise, were visibly shaken, while a visibly shaken Donnarumma covered his face and then wept.
Xabi Alonso, who has played for both Bayern Munich and PSG in his managerial career, was quick to condemn Donnarumma’s actions. Speaking to reporters after the match, Alonso said: “A professional player would never make an intervention like that. It was reckless and dangerous. Musiala is a young talent who lives for football, and it is unacceptable to see him suffer such a terrible injury. FIFA must take this seriously and issue a sanction that reflects the seriousness of the incident.” Alonso’s comments echoed the sentiments of the Bayern team, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and sporting director Max Eberl also criticizing Donnarumma’s decision to speak out so strongly. Neuer, in particular, emphasized the need to show respect, stating that he confronted Donnarumma after the match and urged him to restrain Musiala as a show of sportsmanship.
The lack of immediate disciplinary action by referee Anthony Taylor further fueled the debate. Despite the presence of VAR, no penalty was awarded and Donnarumma walked away unscathed, a decision that infuriated Bayern’s players, coaching staff, and fans. Social media was filled with fans questioning why the Italian goalkeeper hadn’t been shown a red card for what many described as a dangerous challenge. “How come Taylor didn’t review this with VAR? This clearly put a player’s safety at risk,” said one fan. “Donnarumma’s intervention was reckless, and FIFA’s silence is deafening.”
Despite the criticism, Donnarumma expressed remorse and posted a message on social media wishing Musiala a speedy recovery: “I want to pray and wish you the best, Jamal Musiala.” PSG players, including captain Marquinhos and full-back Achraf Hakimi, also expressed their solidarity. Marquinhos stated: “No one wants to see this on the football pitch. We wish Jamal a speedy recovery.” However, these gestures failed to calm the anger of the Bayern squad, with coach Vincent Kompany describing the incident as a moment during halftime that left him “dumbfounded with rage.”
The match ended in a 2-0 victory for PSG, with goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué, despite the French side finishing with nine players after two red cards. Bayern, already hampered by Musiala’s injury, struggled to recover in the second half, and their elimination from the tournament only deepened the feeling of injustice. Musiala’s injury is a major blow for Bayern, which relies on the young star’s creativity in crucial moments in the Bundesliga and other competitions.
While the football community awaits FIFA’s response, the incident has reignited debate about player safety and the role of refereeing in high-stakes matches. Alonso’s call for a severe sanction reflects a broader demand for accountability, especially when a player’s career could be at risk due to such ethical misconduct. For now, Musiala has a long road to recovery, and the football world is watching to see if FIFA heeds Alonso’s request and takes decisive action against Donnarumma.
