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Hungary’s Barnabas Varga can leave hospital on Wednesday following surgery after sickening injury in Euro 2024 win
The 29-year-old suffered the injuries when he clashed with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the box after 68 minutes and appeared to be knocked out, needing urgent medical attention.
He was taken to hospital and was in a stable condition before his surgery on Monday.
“According to the information of the institution’s doctors specialising in facial injuries, the intervention was uncomplicated, so the attacker … can leave the hospital on Wednesday,” the Hungarian football federation said on X.
On Monday, Varga’s partner Laura Skrapits posted an update to fans on social media following the operation.
“Thank you for your kind, supportive messages,” Skrapits posted. “Barni is over the surgery. A little rest is waiting for him but he’ll be fine!”
Gergely Panics, the Ferencvaros team doctor, has told Hungarian media that he could be released as early as Wednesday after “several smaller and larger bones were broken in his face, and some were even dislocated”.
“Barni suffered a concussion during the collision and lost consciousness,” Panics revealed to Hungarian outlet Magyar Nemzet.
“By the time he reached the ambulance, he had already regained consciousness, after which he was taken to the clinic in Stuttgart, where, after the examination, a therapeutic plan was drawn up, according to which he would be operated on.
“Our striker suffered multiple facial skull fractures, several smaller and larger bones were broken in his face, and some were even dislocated.
“After the operation, he will be kept in for two days. If everything goes well, he will be released on Wednesday.”
Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai had criticised medical staff for the length of time it took for Varga to get treatment on the pitch during the Group A game.
Varga will not play any part in the rest of Hungary’s campaign, should they qualify for the knockout stage.
The win over Scotland ensured Hungary finished third in their group, but they must wait on other results to see if they qualify as one of the four best third-place finishers.