Hans-Rudi Brugger is back.

At 44 years old: South Tyrolean football legend makes comeback

Unbelievable, but true: South Tyrolean football legend Hans-Rudi Brugger celebrated a comeback in amateur football on Wednesday evening at the age of 44.

September 19, 2024

From: det

Cup games often tell very special stories. Underdogs who topple the big favorites, or inconspicuous players who become heroes under the floodlights. In short: sometimes things happen in such games that you would never have thought possible. Like on Wednesday evening, when a South Tyrolean football legend celebrated his comeback at the age of 44 in the second round of the South Tyrolean State Cup.

It was the 64th minute when Hans-Rudi Brugger came on as a substitute for St. Martin Moos (1st Amateur League) in a duel against Obermais (Oberliga). "I was a little nervous," said the ex-professional with a grin. "But when I was on the field, it felt almost the same as before." Brugger played in central defense for St. Martin after his substitution, and although they ended up losing 1-2 to the favored Oberliga team from Meran, it was a special match.

He was once captain of FC Südtirol

Hans-Rudi Brugger is one of the most colourful figures that South Tyrolean football has produced in its history. The Passeier native, who was known for his tireless hard work, played for FC Südtirol for 14 seasons and made no fewer than 368 professional appearances - which is still a club record today. Brugger was captain of the White-Reds and shaped the "golden era" when FCS first rose from Serie D to the then Serie C2 (1999/2000) and later from the fourth to the third league (2009/10).

Hans-Rudi Brugger (left) was captain of FC Südtirol for many years. © canon eos 1d iii / alexander.foppa, Max Pattis

After his contract with FC Südtirol was not renewed, Brugger returned home to St. Martin, where he played his last game of his career on May 3, 2015 in the Oberliga match against Comano. Or rather, his supposedly last game of his career. Because on Wednesday evening, Brugger made his comeback almost a decade later and at the age of 44. Why? "We're a bit short on resources at the moment, so I stepped in," says the veteran.

After his career, Hans-Rudi Brugger competed in several mountain and extreme runs.

Brugger has been St. Martin Moos's athletic trainer since this season and is often involved in training himself. When the need arises, the Passeier native steps in, as he did on Wednesday evening. Last season he was supposed to help his Mortin team in the regional league relegation battle, but a serious strain and bureaucratic complications prevented this.

“More missions? I don’t want to say yes or no now.” Hans Rudi Brugger

Brugger had actually finished football after his career and was increasingly involved in mountain and extreme running. He has also been working as a sauna master and fitness trainer at the Hotel Quellenhof for three years. It was only when St. Martin Moos found itself in a precarious situation in the regional league last season that Brugger dug out his football boots again. He has now made his comeback, a few months late.

"St. Martin has given me a lot in my career, so I wanted to give something back," says Brugger. Can we expect him to play in the future - perhaps even in the championship of the 1st Amateur League? "I don't want to say yes or no now," says Brugger with a smile, "I'm trained and can help out in an emergency. But our goal is to get the many good young players used."