Medical emergency: Ex-professional Szalai after collapse: “I’m fine”

Former Bundesliga professional Adam Szalai contacted social networks a few hours after his collapse. “Thanks for all the messages, I’m fine,” was the message posted shortly before midnight on his personal Instagram channel. It had a red heart on it. The Hungarian Football Association also spread Szalai’s message via X, which he had posted verbatim on Facebook.

The 36-year-old assistant coach of the Hungarian national team collapsed on the sidelines in the early stages of the Nations League game in Amsterdam against the Netherlands (0:4) on Saturday evening. Hungarian media reported that Szalai had to be resuscitated.

Hungary is the next German opponent

The national association said during the first half that Szalai was in a stable condition and had been taken to a hospital in Amsterdam for examination. The game at the Johan Cruijff Arena was resumed after just over twelve minutes after the emergency. The Hungarians will be opponents and hosts of the German team next Tuesday.

“I hope he gets back on his feet now. Then we’ll see that we play a good game and hopefully Adam will be back,” said Germany national coach Julian Nagelsmann after the DFB team’s 7-0 win over Bosnia -Herzegovina. At that time, Szalai himself had not yet come forward. “First of all, I hope that he’s doing well. He’s a former player of mine with whom I have a very good connection,” said Nagelsmann.

276 Bundesliga games for four clubs

Szalai, who played 276 Bundesliga games for Mainz, Hoffenheim, Schalke and Hannover, played for Hungary until two years ago, most recently as captain. Mainz 05, Schalke and Hoffenheim sent well wishes via the X portal.

In the summer of 2023, Szalai ended his active playing career. It was only in October, in the first leg against the Netherlands, that he served as assistant coach of the Hungarian national team for the first time.