Exclusive: Jamal Musiala on sealing Bundesliga history & his idols | OneFootball

Jamal Musiala has been the rising star of German football over the last couple of years and is now also the face of the new Nike Tiempo 10. In an exclusive interview with OneFootball, the 20-year-old opened up on his idols, scoring the winning goal in last season’s Bundesliga title race, and the perfect football boot.

“Having the right boots is a big deal for every football,” Musiala explained. Whether it’s taking a perfect first touch, weighting a pass just right or finding the corners when aiming at goal, it clearly matters. “All that is so much harder when you don’t feel comfortable with your boots.”

Speaking at an unveiling of the new boots in Berlin, the 20-year-old revealed he has always felt comfortable with Nikes.

“I’ve never really liked anything else. My first Nike boots were the Magista, bright orange.”

That the world-renowned brand approached him to be an ambassador is also a source of pride.

“It’s a huge honour. Amongst footballers the Tiempo is seen as more of a boot for defenders. I think it’s cool to show the world another perspective.”

That perspective cannot be displayed any better than it was in the final game of last season, as Musiala won Bayern Munich the Bundesliga. A pristine touch, a turn at the blink of an eye, a clinical strike into the far corner. Aged just 20, the midfielder had scored the goal that won the league title.

“As the ball went in, that was just unbelievable. Surreal,” he tells us.

“And then you just start running, screaming, celebrating with everyone. You can’t plan something like that, it’s pure emotion.”

Benjamin Pavard was the first player to join the celebration but Musiala cannot remember what the Frenchman yelled in his ear. He has relived the moment in the only way one can, though.

“I’ve watch the goal back often. Really often.”

Despite the hype surround him and his growth into one of Germany’s best players, Musiala says he is always looking for ways to improve.

“It’s the little things,” he says. “When I watch Kevin De Bruyne or I speak with Leroy Sané, there’s always something to learn.”

The midfielder’s movement with the ball is almost unique, the smoothness of touch and the slaloming runs, and the parallels are clear when he is asked about his childhood idols and names the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

“They’ve just always exuded so much joy on the pitch. The way they dribble, that entertainment factor, I always loved that about them. Entertainment is what I want in my game, I want to entertain the fans.”

Starting now, the new Nike Tiempo 10 will be helpful for that.