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.