Hungarian striker Barnabás Varga returns home after serious injury against Scotland at Euro 2024 

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The Hungarian striker Barnabás Varga was admitted to hospital after a horror facial injury against Scotland on Monday, 24 June 2024. However, he was released from the hospital on Wednesday after successful surgery and headed home with his partner. 

Barnabás Varga was involved in a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn and fell on his face, which caused fractures in his facial bones. 

The striker fell on the ground after the nasty collision while the goalkeeper was coming to collect the cross. The fellow players, including the Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, immediately yelled for a stretcher and medical staff. 

The players covered him with the sheet as he received treatment for almost seven minutes on the field. It looked nervous all around, and Szoboszlai was almost in tears. 

Varga was sent to the hospital after the initial assessment and treatment, where doctors suggested surgery. After successful surgery, Varga was released from the hospital on 24 June. 

“Thank you for many messages of support. It’s good to be home again. Now comes a few weeks of rest. After that, I’ll focus on my recovery. I’ve looked back on the incident. I’m not the scary type,” said the striker, as highlighted on Ferencváros’ website. 

The Hungarian Football Federation posted on X confirming his return, “Barnabás Varga was released from hospital this morning in Stuttgart and is currently recovering in his home in Hungary.” 

Reaction From the Captain and Team 

Hungary players and captain immediately went for Varga’s help and were not happy with the delayed reaction from medical staff. The captain Szoboszlai even called for a change to medical protocols after the game. 

“It looked bad, it was bad, he felt bad,” Dominic Szoboszlain told the reporters while reflecting on Barnabás’ injury. “I don’t really know what the protocol is, but if our doctors say we need immediate help, I don’t think they should be walking.” 

“It’s not my decision, but something needs to be changed. Even if somebody is on the ground and you see it was a big crash, then just go on the field. Even if the referee is stopping, just go on. And if you see nothing is serious, you can just go down, and it’s finished. But seconds can help a lot,” Dominic continued. 

The captain and players showed whole-hearted support to their teammate during his treatment and even after he went to the hospital. Dominik Szoboszlain wore Varga’s jersey back to front and Csoboth paid tribute to him by holding his jersey during his celebration. 

How Did the UEFA React? 

UEFA, the European soccer governing body, released the official statement regarding Varga’s injury, said, “With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury of Hungary striker Varga, we would like to clarify that the intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the injury, followed by second stadium doctor, to conduct the first assessment of the injury and provide the treatment, as per the customary medical procedure.” 

“The qualified team was waiting on the pitch side, according to their protocol, and arrived on the pitch as soon as their intervention was requested by the medical staff to take the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.”

“The coordination between the medical staff on the site was professional, and everything was done according to the applicable medical procedure. There was no delay in the treatment and assessment of the player.”

Speaking of the horrible incident after the match, Angus Gunn also told the BBC, “It was a bit of a blur. I thought I had to come in, and I thought I had done well. It was painful, and hopefully, the guy is okay. I can’t remember much about it.” 

Hungary’s Euro 2024 Campaign 

Despite winning against Scotland with the help of Kevin Csoboth’s 100th-minute strike, the Hungarian side is out of the tournament. Although the different players of the team have domestic or league trophies, their major trophy drought continues. 

The players can still hold their heads after grabbing three points in the group stage, one more than their last Euro Cup. However, they would regret a missed opportunity against Germany. 

They were in the contest until the last group F matches but slipped to 5th in the third-place rankings as Georgia defeated Portugal 2-0. They then had a worse goal difference than Slovenia, which eliminated them from the tournament. 

“It was a disadvantage that Hungary was in the first group to finish their matches, so other teams already knew exactly what was required of them before their own last match,” said the Hungarian Football Federation. 

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