February 26 might be a turning point for Jamal Musiala. Currently in action with 2020 treble winner Bayern Munich at the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, the gifted youngster will turn 18 that day, and doors to a bright future are wide open.

His club, which has reached this Thursday's final in Qatar against CONCACAF Champions League winner UANL Tigres, is planning to offer him a 5-year-contract including many millions of euros.

While it is certain where he will play club football, there is still a decision to be made about his international career.

The German and the English associations are battling over the promising youngster. Both want him to commit himself to play for their national team.

Musiala has played for several of the "Three Lions" youth teams and occasionally for Germany so that final decision might be made soon. German head coach Joachim Loew and national team director Oliver Bierhoff have intensified their efforts to entice him to turn out for the 2014 World Cup winners.

Media reports speak of Loew's intention to pick Musiala for the internationals against Iceland, Rumania, and Northern Macedonia in March.

The German coach traveled to Munich to have a brief chat with the prodigy. Bierhoff also told German media about an open and trustful talk with him at a recent meeting.

English media on the other hand say Musiala will continue to play for England.

Bierhoff said Musiala has exceptional qualities. "We mapped a route for him on the way to career in the national team," the former striker commented. "Now we'll wait to find out what his heart says."

Loew said: "I think he knows that I want to nominate him. The ball is in his court, it's his decision."

Due to his mother's background, the precocious Stuttgart-born midfielder played for Southampton and then eight years for Chelsea before joining the Munich team in 2019.

He currently plays for the Three Lions' U-21 team.

In Bayern's shirt, he became the club's youngest debutant in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 115 days in June 2020 against SC Freiburg (3-1). Scoring his first goal in the encounter against Schalke (8-0) made him the youngest scorer in the Bavarian's history.

Former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry spoke about his and his teammates' efforts to convince Musiala to commit himself to Germany.

In recent interviews, the Bayern attacker joked that he and his teammates are doing everything they can to get Musiala to choose to play for Germany instead of England.

There ain't no chance we're letting that talent go. He's a great, great player. The first couple of times he showed up in training, we already knew he would be a superb player. His talent is amazing. He isn't shy of anything. He has a lot of time on his hands, and I hope he will continue to grow and use his talents for Germany instead of England -- to my benefit," Gnabry said.

Musiala also has fans amongst TV pundits as Mehmet Scholl, the former Bayern forward, said the youngster reminds him of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. "He is imaginative and creative. You rarely find something like that in German football." 

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