Hungarian assistant national coach unwell during game against Orange, stable condition

The Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary was stopped in the eighth minute due to a medical emergency at the Hungarian reserve bench. There, assistant national coach Adam Szalai suddenly lay unwell on the ground. His condition is now stable, the Hungarian Football Association reports.

Shortly before midnight, 36-year-old Szalai made himself heard on social media. “Thank you for the many messages, I am doing well,” he wrote in Hungarian on his Instagram.

Initially there was great panic in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Reserve players and staff from both teams immediately formed a circle around the victim, so that he was hidden from public view.

After treatment by medics, Szalai was taken away on a stretcher to applause about ten minutes later. Szalai was conscious and taken to hospital for further treatment.

Szalai is the former captain of the Hungarian team and has only been assistant national coach this year. With 86 international matches and 26 goals, he is one of the best Hungarian football players of recent years. Szalai played for a long time in the German Bundesliga, for Mainz, Schalke 04 and Hoffenheim, among others.

Hungary’s players indicated to referee Jesús Gil Manzano that they could continue playing and the match was then resumed. The Netherlands eventually won 4-0.