November 18 – Hungary assistant coach Adam Szalai says he is “doing well” after collapsing during his side’s Nations League match against Netherlands on Saturday.
The match in Amsterdam was halted for 13 minutes when the 36-year-old was taken ill in the seventh minute.
A makeshift medical tent was erected to treat Szalai on the bench before he was rushed to hospital, leaving captain and Liverpool midfielder midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in tears on the pitch.
“Thanks for the lots of messages, I’m doing well,” Szalai wrote on Facebook.
The Hungarian FA said in a statement on X that Szalai “is stable and he is conscious” after being rushed hospital by ambulance.
When play restarted, the Netherlands were awarded a penalty after a video assistant referee (VAR) review. Ajax striker Wout Weghorst converted the 21st-minute spot-kick and celebrated by sliding on his knees towards the corner flag as the hosts opened the scoring in a 4-0 victory.
The former Burnley and Manchester United forward was criticised for his celebration, but said later: “I never thought for a moment that this could come across as unpleasant. In retrospect, you think, ‘would it have been more respectful to cheer less exuberantly?’ Let it be clear that his life is more important than my goal. I hope I don’t have to explain that to anyone.
“Taking a penalty is normally exciting but I think this was one of my most difficult penalties ever. When you score it, there is pure relief and release. That’s why I didn’t realise how I was cheering.”
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk added: “I didn’t think the celebration was exaggerated at all. Hungary made the choice to continue playing. Then you get on with playing the match.”
As a player, Szala earned 86 caps for his country, before retiring in 2023. During Euro 2021, he was taken off in the 25th minute of Hungary’s 1-1 draw with France after feeling unwell following a head injury.
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