Former Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels claimed that Gianluigi Donnarumma's challenge on Jamal Musiala was a completely normal action.
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Hummels believes Donnarumma's challenge on Musiala no big dealClaims both players had a role in Musiala's injuryDidn't want to blame the goalkeeperFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Bayern Munich and Germany national team player Hummels has come to the defence of Donnarumma, who was held accountable for the horrific ankle dislocation Musiala suffered during the Club World Cup quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and the Bundesliga champions. The ex-defender explained that both players were equally responsible for the unfortunate injury, and that the Italian goalkeeper's challenge was completely normal.
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Donnarumma has come under fire after Musiala suffered an injury and had to be stretchered off. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said that the ex-Milan keeper "wasn't being considerate" while making an attempt to win the ball. Manuel Neuer also didn't hold back, claiming that Donnarumma "didn't have to go in like that" and that it was "reckless". However, Musiala posted a message on social media following a successful surgery on his fractured fibula, and added that nobody was to blame for what he went through.
WHAT MATS HUMMELS SAID
Speaking on his podcast , Hummels said: "It was a completely normal action. Not brutal at all. Both players have a part in the injury. That's how I would put it. You sometimes recognise situations that are simply risky, where you can hurt yourself very quickly. And to me, that looked like an injury right from the start.
"The injury is really bad, he's a great player, but… every game, players and goalkeepers are in tough situations, and [the challenges] are significantly less clean."
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Donnarumma will be aiming to help PSG win their fifth trophy of the season on Sunday, July 13, when his side take on Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Meanwhile, Musiala has been confirmed to remain on the sidelines for the next four to five months, which means he's unlikely to return to action before 2026.