Santos forward Ketlen Wiggers opens up on Musiala's seizure struggle

Santos forward Ketlen Wiggers revealed the personal battle she endured after being diagnosed with absence seizures, the same neurological condition that now affects Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala.

Diagnosis and early obstacles

At 18 she was told by doctors she could not pursue a professional football career. She later disclosed that she suffered more than 40 seizures per day, which she managed to control with appropriate medication. Today, at 34, she is the all‑time top scorer for the Sereias da Vila.

The story emerged following widespread reaction to the diagnosis of the 23‑year‑old German midfielder. Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s honorary president, recently voiced concern about Musiala’s future and questioned whether he could regain his pre‑illness form.

Career triumphs and advocacy

Over a professional career spanning more than 16 years, Ketlen has won the Women’s Libertadores, the Brazilian Championship and the São Paulo State Championship, and has represented the Brazilian national team. She is currently receiving treatment to manage her epilepsy and serves as an ambassador for the condition in Brazil. She said on Instagram that epilepsy and the absence seizures never stopped her from playing professionally.

Absence seizures are brief episodes of altered consciousness that can cause a sudden pause in activity, a fixed gaze and a few seconds of unresponsiveness, and they can be controlled with medication though responses vary. Because her own experience cannot predict Musiala’s recovery, she cannot say how his condition will evolve. She used her story to encourage Musiala, hoping he can overcome the condition with proper medication and continue his promising career.