Hungary's Adam Szalai Reassures Fans After Collapsing During Nations League Match

Hungary's assistant coach and former captain, Adam Szalai, has reassured fans of his well-being after collapsing during the Nations League match against the Netherlands on Saturday, November 16. The incident occurred just seven minutes into the game at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in Amsterdam, where the 36-year-old suddenly fell ill while on the bench, prompting immediate medical attention.

Szalai's collapse raised concerns as he appeared to be in distress, with team staff quickly shielding him from public view while his legs visibly twitched on the ground. The match was paused for 13 minutes as he was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance.

Later that evening, Szalai took to social media to thank fans for their support and confirmed that he was recovering well. “I appreciate all the messages. I’m doing okay,” he wrote.

Hungary's head coach, Marco Rossi, provided reassurance during the post-match press conference, stating, “Adam is conscious, can talk, and all is in order.” Rossi noted that the referee consulted the Hungarian team about continuing the match, and the players unanimously decided to proceed. Team captain Dominik Szoboszlai gathered his teammates on the pitch to motivate them before the game resumed.

Despite the emotional disruption, the Netherlands maintained their focus and secured a 4-0 victory, guaranteeing their place in the Nations League quarterfinals next March. Fans worldwide expressed relief over Szalai’s recovery and praised the professionalism displayed by both teams during the incident. Szalai, a celebrated figure in Hungarian football, has previously earned 86 international caps and scored 26 goals, alongside a distinguished club career in Germany.