In brief
Guido Burgstaller, a 35-year-old player for Rapid Vienna, sustained a severe head injury when attacked by an unknown assailant in Vienna, prompting concerns for his health and safety.
As a celebrated player capped 26 times for Austria, Burgstaller is now facing a lengthy recovery period after a violent incident in downtown Vienna. The Rapid Vienna club confirmed that the striker fractured his skull as a result of a significant blow, resulting in immediate hospitalization. The player remains under medical care and is expected to be sidelined for several months during recovery. Rapid Vienna expressed their hopes that the authorities will swiftly apprehend the unidentified attacker. Burgstaller previously played for Cardiff City, where he made a brief appearance before stints with various German clubs like Nurnberg, Schalke, and St Pauli. Recently involved in controversy, he was dropped from the team in early 2023 after being filmed engaged in homophobic chanting. This unfortunate incident has shed light on the challenges athletes face both on and off the field, sparking concern within the sporting community.
