Was seriously injured: Guido Burgstaller. © APA / EVA MANHART

Rapid professional knocked down and seriously injured

Rapid striker Guido Burgstaller was the victim of a physical attack at the weekend and suffered serious head injuries. As the Bundesliga club announced on Monday, the 35-year-old was knocked down by an unknown man in downtown Vienna.

16 December 2024

From: apa/sn

Burgstaller suffered a fracture of the base of his skull, among other things. The footballer will be out for months due to the severity of his injuries. The Vienna State Office of Criminal Investigation is investigating.

The press office of the Vienna Police Department did not provide any personal information on Monday, but confirmed an operation related to the incident on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. on Heldenplatz. According to witnesses, an argument broke out between a 35-year-old and an unknown man. The latter is said to have hit him and then fled. The background to the dispute was still completely unclear, as no interviews had been conducted, the police said in response to an APA query.

Guido Burgstaller also played for Austria. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Burgstaller was given emergency medical treatment by the emergency services and taken to hospital with his injuries. "Unfortunately, he will have to spend the next few days there and it is also a fact that he will not be able to do his job for several months," said the official Rapid press release. In view of the circumstances, the Hütteldorfers asked that the privacy of the player and his family be respected. According to the police, the assault was reported by an unknown perpetrator.

Premature end of career threatens

It is not yet clear how long the attacking veteran will be absent from Rapid. Burgstaller's contract with Rapid expires in the summer of 2025, after which the former captain wants to end his career. Given the severity of the injuries, it is quite possible that Burgstaller's last appearance as a professional footballer was last week in the 1:3 defeat at Omonia Nicosia.

Affected reactions

Some Bundesliga clubs reacted with concern to the momentous incident. "This news is shocking and has affected us too. We wish Guido Burgstaller all the best and a full recovery!", said Vienna's Austria via "X". "Get well soon, Guido!" said champions Sturm Graz. Burgstaller's former club Schalke 04 wrote: "What a despicable act. All the best and a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with you, Burgi!"

Burgstaller, who was trained in Carinthia, came to Rapid in 2011 via Wiener Neustadt. After three years, the striker made the leap abroad to Cardiff City. Other stops included 1. FC Nuremberg, Schalke and St. Pauli. In the summer of 2022, Burgstaller returned to Rapid and became top scorer. He scored two goals in 26 appearances for the national team.