Former EFL player Guido Burgstaller was hospitalised after being attacked in the city centre of Vienna, suffering a fractured skull.
The 35-year-old was assaulted by an unknown man, leading to serious head injuries and is to spend several days in the hospital and will be unable to work for months due to the severity of his injuries.
Burgstaller, who also has 26 caps for Austria and returned to the national team under Ralf Rangnick, had previously returned to Rapid Vienna in 2022, and has been there ever since stints with various clubs, including St. Pauli, Schalke, Nürnberg, Cardiff, Wiener Neustadt and FC Kärnten.
Wir sind sprachlos und zutiefst betroffen. Guido #Burgstaller wurde in der Nacht auf Samstag Opfer eines körperlichen Angriffs.
Die ganze Rapid-Familie steht dir bei, Burgi! 💚
▶️ https://t.co/txWCLNkRCA#SCR2024 pic.twitter.com/oIMaon9pyF
— SK Rapid (@skrapid) December 16, 2024
His current club, SK Rapid, released a statement via their official website, it read…
Guido Burgstaller seriously injured
There is some very bad news to report before SK Rapid’s last home game of the season. Guido Burgstaller was the victim of a physical attack in the presence of witnesses at the weekend and suffered serious head injuries .
The 35-year-old from Carinthia was attacked by an unknown man in the center of Vienna and suffered a fractured skull after a fall caused by a brutal blow.
Burgstaller was immediately examined and treated in a Viennese hospital. Unfortunately, he will have to spend the next few days there and it is also a fact that he will not be able to work for several months.
SK Rapid wishes its worthy player a speedy and uncomplicated recovery and trusts in the responsible authorities that the as yet unknown perpetrator will be brought to justice quickly. We ask that you respect the privacy of Guido Burgstaller and his family.
If there is any news in the next few days, SK Rapid will report it in consultation with its medical department and Guido Burgstaller. SK Rapid will of course fully support Guido Burgstaller on his way to a full and hopefully speedy recovery.
FK Austria Wien wrote: “This news is shocking and affects us deeply. We wish Guido Burgstaller all the best and a full recovery!”
FC Schalke 04 tweeted: “#S04 is sickened by the news of the assault on Guido Burgstaller. Our thoughts are with you and we wish you all the best for a speedy recovery, Burgi! 🙏”
SK Sturm Graz said: “Get well soon, Guido! 🙏”
GAK 1902 posted: “We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. We strongly condemn any form of violence, whether in the stadium or outside of football. Our sport stands for passion, respect and sporting competition – not for physical assault. All the best, Burgi! 🙏🏻”
HIS CAREER:
2006–2008 – FC Kärnten – 33 games (2 goals)
2008–2011 – Wiener Neustadt – 89 games (13 goals)
2011–2014 – Rapid Wien – 109 games (27 goals)
2014–2015 – Cardiff City – 5 games (1 goal)
2015–2017 – 1. FC Nürnberg – 70 games (34 goals)
2017–2020 – Schalke 04 – 119 games (32 goals)
2020–2022 – FC St. Pauli – 57 games (31 goals)
2022– Rapid Wien – 94 games (42 goals)
International
2007 – Austria U19 – 4 games (3 goals)
2008 – Austria U20 – 4 games (0 goals)
2009–2010 – Austria – U21 – 11 games (0 goals)
2012– Austria – 26 games (2 goals)
His only goal for Cardiff, which came against Coventry, can be seen below…
It was in May 2014 when Burgstaller joined Cardiff, on a three-year deal as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s second signing of the summer, after Javi Guerra.
Burgstaller said at the time: “My decision to join Cardiff City was never in question when the club first contacted me, it has always been a dream for me to play in this country. I’ve followed Cardiff in the Premier League last season and I’m very proud and honoured to be given the chance to wear the Cardiff City jersey – I’m a big admirer of the passion of the fans.”
He made his debut in the Championship on the 8th of August, was subbed on for Kenwyne Jones with 20 minutes of a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers remaining on the opening day of the season.
Five days later, he netted within four minutes of his first start as Cardiff won 2–1 away to Coventry City in the first round of the League Cup.
On the 26th of January 2015, Burgstaller left Cardiff by mutual consent, and then joined 2. Bundesliga side Nürnberg on an undisclosed deal four days later.
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