Former Bundesliga player Guido Burgstaller gave an emotional comeback in professional football four months after his serious head injury.
At the game of the SK Rapid Vienna in the Conference League near Djurgardens IF in Stockholm, the 35 -year -old was substituted in the 85th minute – with a special stirring strap for protection in head balls and collapsing.
“Of course it was nice. I got congratulations from all sides, so I didn’t notice it that way”said Burgstaller after the game at “Canal+”.
Rapid coach Robert Klauss was also pleased: “When our fans also chanted his name, these are the moments that are special and get under your skin“, he enthused.”You only experience them in football. Just a very nice story.“
Assault in Wiener discotheque
Almost three months ago, he was attacked by a 23-year-old after a team evening in the “Volksgarten” Discotheque. There had been a verbal argument beforehand. The perpetrator initially pushed Burgstaller and then hit him to the ground with his fist, the fall resulted in a skull base break. The alleged attacker was arrested in December and was sentenced to 16 months in prison for probation.
Return to the place before the end of the career planned planned
The Austrian, who played in Germany for 1st FC Nürnberg, FC Schalke 04 and FC St. Pauli, announced last summer to want to end his career at the end of the season. During his first public appearance after the attack in early March, he had announced that he wanted to return to the pitch again – and not just for a game. “This is my ambition. I don’t just want to be substituted once in the 85th minute, wave and then stop“, said Burgstaller.
The chances of another appearance at European level are not bad. With the 1-0 in the quarter-final first leg, Burgstaller with Vienna has a good chance of moving into the semi-finals of the Conference League.