Hungary’s Barnabas Varga pictured for the first time after surgery

• Barnabas Varga was involved in a shocking collision as Hungary beat Scotland
• The Hungary forward is now recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery
• LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. New episodes released every day during the Euros

Hungarian player Barnabas Varga has been pictured for the first time since breaking multiple bones in his face in their Euro 2024 clash with Scotland.

The 29-year-old was sent tumbling to the turf following a brutal collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, during Hungary’s 1-0 victory on Sunday. 

The Ferencvaros forward was immediately knocked unconscious and was seen lying rigid on the pitch as desperate teammates frantically signalled medics on the touchline. 

His beautician girlfriend, Laura Skrapits – who was in the stands to witness the shocking incident – confirmed yesterday that he has surgery to fix the multiple broken bones. 

In a photo posted on social media today, Varga appeared bruised and swollen, as he is seen lying on a hospital bed with his girlfriend and team-mates there to see him.  

On Monday, Varga shared an emotional message posted by Skrapits on his social media account.

The message included a photo of Skrapits holding Varga’s hand at his bedside.

Skrapits confirmed that Varga is now recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery.

‘Thank you for your kind, supportive messages,’ Skrapits wrote. 

‘Barni is over the surgery. A little rest is waiting for him but he’ll be fine!’

Skrapits, a 27-year-old beautician, had witnessed her husband’s horrific injury first hand having travelled to Germany to support her partner and the national team’s European campaign.

With the game goalless and both teams hunting for an opener, Varga collided with Scotland goalkeeper Gunn as he attempted to collect the ball in the 67th minute of last night’s Group A fixture.

The severity of the 29-year-old’s injury was immediately made apparent by the reaction of his teammates who hurriedly motioned medical staff onto the pitch.

Varga was motionless on the ground as he received medical attention, and the game was paused for seven minutes before he was removed from the pitch on a stretcher and rushed to hospital in Stuttgart.

Hungary head coach Marco Rossi noted in his post-match press conference that Varga was stable and conscious in hospital.

Gergely Panics, the team doctor for his club side Ferencvaros, had given an update on the forward’s condition earlier on Monday. 

‘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.’

Scotland’s Gunn meanwhile told the BBC in a post-match interview: ‘It was a bit of a blur. I thought I had to come and thought I’d done well. It was a bit painful. Hopefully the guy is all right. I can’t really remember too much about it.’ 

Hungary’s players had shown their support to Varga with Kevin Csoboth raising his shirt as a show of support after scoring a dramatic winner 10 minutes into injury time.

Captain Dominik Szoboszlai was in tears as his team-mate received treatment, and was pictured wearing a Varga shirt at full-time.

The Liverpool player also raged at medical staff for walking onto the pitch saying he didn’t think the response was fast enough.  

UEFA though insisted that there wasn’t any delay in the treatment to Varga.

A statement from UEFA read: ‘With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury suffered by Barnabas Varga of Hungary, we would like to clarify that the intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.

‘The qualified pitchside emergency team were waiting pitchside, according to their protocol, and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.

‘The coordination between all the medical staff on site was professional and everything was done in accordance with the applicable medical procedures. There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player.’