ON THE MEND
Hungary star Varga pictured for first time in hospital bed with bandaged face and girlfriend by side after horror injury
Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai was critical of the speed of the medical team following the collision
HUNGARY forward Barnabas Varga has been pictured for the first time since he was knocked unconscious and broke multiple bones in his face during his side's win over Scotland.
The Ferencvaros star, 29, was severely injured in a collision with keeper Angus Gunn during the Group A clash on Sunday night.
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He was stretchered off with sheets held up to hide Varga, before medics rushed him to hospital.
He was then confirmed to be stable and has now been pictured in a hospital bed with his girlfriend Laura Skrapits and members of the Hungary staff.
Alongside the post was a caption from the Hungary Football Federation which read: "Led by Marco Rossi, some members of the professional staff and represented by the players, Endre Botka visited Varga Barnabas in the Stuttgart hospital.
"The visitors interpreted the wishes of the whole team to Fradi’s player."
It comes after Laura shared an emotional message on social media on Varga's behalf.
It read: "Thank you for your kind, supportive messages.
"Barni is over the surgery. A little rest is waiting for him but he'll be fine!"
Ferencvaros doctor Gergely Panics confirmed the extent of Varga's injuries after he was assessed in hospital, revealing he suffered skull fractures, as well as broken and dislocated bones in his face.
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Inside Barnabas Varga's rise from semi-pro to Euro 2024
BARBABAS VARGA has enjoyed a meteoric rise from semi-pro leagues of Austria and Hungary to the Euro 2024 finals.
The Hungary striker played for six seasons, between 2010 and 2016 for SV Eberau in the Bergenlandliga - the regional fourth tier of Austrian football.
A record of over a goal every other game earned Varga a shot at the big time with with SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
However, he scored only once in just 16 games over the next three seasons before dropping down to the second tier with SV Lafnitz.
After a mixed spell, Varga's next step was to his homeland, again in the second tier, with Gyirnot in 2020.
That's where it began to click for Varga and his eye for goal saw top division Paksi FC swoop.
Varga scored almost a goal a game in his first season with Paksi, finishing as the top scorer in the Hungarian league.
That earned the late bloomer an international debut, at the age of 28, in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bulgaria.
One his third cap, away to Serbia, he netted his first Hungary goal.
Last summer, Varga joined Hungarian giants Ferencvaros and again got the golden boot as his side won the league, the first silverware of his career.
He told Hungarian news outlet Magyar Nemzet: "Barni suffered a concussion during the collision and lost consciousness.
"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.
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"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."
Varga's dad then confirmed his son had undergone facial surgery.
Furious Hungarian players were angered by the time it took the walking medics to reach the stricken Varga and start treating him in the penalty area, with stewards holding up blankets to create a screen.
Captain Dominik Szoboszlai believes Uefa should make a change to ensure players in a similar situation receive treatment as quickly as possible.
The Liverpool midfielder said: "I don't really know the protocols or how it works, but if our doctors say we need someone immediately to help, then I don't think they should walk.
"It's not my decision, but I think we need to change something.
"Even if someone is on the ground, and you know that it was a big collision, then just go on [the pitch].
"Even if the referee is saying don't go on, just go on. And if you can see it's nothing serious, then you can just go down and it's finished. But seconds can help a lot."
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Panics refused to be drawn on the reaction of the medical team.
He added: "Regarding the German protocol and first aid, I do not want to comment, as I do not know it in detail and I am not responsible for it.
"However, I can say that I had the opportunity to visit Barna in the hospital, and I saw that he is in expert hands and is receiving a lot of attention."
Uefa, however, defended those who treated Varga and insisted all the guidance was followed as they reached him within 15 seconds.
The BBC were forced to apologise because the Uefa live feed showed a replay of the incident despite the severity of the collision.
Hungary players looked visibly distraught after witnessing their team-mate's horror injury.
Following a lengthy delay, the game carried on and Kevin Csoboth scored a 100th-minute winner to keep Hungary's hopes of qualification for the knockout stages alive.
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Players celebrated by holding up and wearing a "Varga 19" shirt for their striker.
Varga, though, will play no further part in the tournament as he begins his recovery.
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