Hungary's Barnabas Varga Recovering After Euro 2024 Injury

Hungary’s Barnabas Varga underwent successful surgery and the Hungarian Football Federation expects to discharge him from the hospital on Wednesday. The striker sustained a fractured cheekbone during Hungary’s 1-0 victory over Scotland at Euro 2024 and medical staff promptly took him to Klinikum Stuttgart for treatment. “The doctors specializing in facial injuries at Klinikum Stuttgart performed the successful operation on Barnabas Varga on Monday afternoon,” stated the HFF. “This allows the Ferencvaros forward to leave the hospital by Wednesday.”

During the match, officials halted play for nearly seven minutes in the second half as the 29-year-old received extensive medical attention following a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, visibly emotional during and after the game, criticized the response time of the medical personnel.  However, Uefa clarified that medical staff did not delay attending to Varga’s injury at Stuttgart Arena.

Uefa’s statement read: “The team doctor responded within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor to assess the injury and provide initial treatment, in line with standard medical procedures. The pitch-side emergency team promptly brought the stretcher for the player’s quick transfer to hospital as per protocol. All medical staff on site coordinated professionally, adhering to established medical protocols.”

Szoboszlai assisted in bringing a stretcher onto the pitch and expressed frustration about the procedural delay. “I don’t understand this kind of protocol, why don’t the medical staff rush in at this time?” he remarked after the match. “This question remains for everyone, so I hope that everyone can save a few seconds and save a life. I hope we will never have to experience this again. Something needs to be done.”

Due to his injury sustained during Hungary’s initial 3-1 loss to Switzerland, Varga will miss the remainder of the tournament.