Guido Burgstaller is back on the pitch. © ANSA / Axel Narving

This comeback gets under your skin

Former Bundesliga player Guido Burgstaller made an emotional comeback in professional football four months after his serious head injury.

11 April 2025

From: dpa

In SK Rapid Vienna's 1-0 win in the Conference League At Djurgardens IF in Stockholm, the 35-year-old was substituted in the 85th minute – wearing a special headband.

"It was of course nice. I didn't really notice much. I received congratulations from all sides, so I didn't really realize everything. Of course I was very happy that I got in," Burgstaller was told by the Krone cited.

Attacker sentenced to 16 months probation

Burgstaller, who previously played for FC Schalke 04 and second-division clubs 1. FC Nürnberg and FC St. Pauli, was involved in a serious altercation in December. He was punched in front of a nightclub in Vienna and hit his head on the ground. According to a forensic report, he suffered a skull fracture and contusions to his cerebral cortex.

Guido Burgstaller made his comeback for Rapid Vienna in the Conference League. © APA / MAX SLOVENCIK

The injuries triggered further problems. "I can't smell anything, I can't taste anything," Burgstaller said at a court hearing. The perpetrator has since been sentenced to 16 months' probation.

With the 1-0 win in the first leg of the quarterfinals, Burgstaller and Vienna now have a good chance of reaching the semifinals of the Conference League. "It was a battle of attrition against a really good team. We're very happy to be flying back to Vienna with a win," said the striker.