More stories

  • in

    Inside ‘quiet’ and ‘humble’ Ollie Watkins’ rise from sleepy Devon town with Motown singer mum to England super-sub

    SCREAMING with ecstasy, supersub Ollie Watkins said the world felt like it was in “slow motion” as he celebrated shooting England to the Euro 2024 final.Thrown into the Dortmund bear pit in the 81st minute, Ollie etched his name into English sporting history by firing the Three Lions to their first final on foreign soil.Ollie Watkins, pictured with his partner Ellie Alderson and his kids Marley and Amara, has had a phenomenal rise to the topWatkins scored a last minute winner against the Netherlands to secure England’s spot in the Euo 2024 finalCredit: GettyLater in the stands, the “quiet” lad brought up in a sleepy Devon market town, and who used to play for non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC, was greeted with a kiss by his partner Ellie Alderson before hugging his mum Delsi-May.Interior designer Ellie, mother of Ollie’s children Amara, two, and one-year-old Marley, later said online: “You got your moment and you took it. I’m so proud of you.”Many fans had been clamouring for the Aston Villa striker to get more game time as England progressed through the tournament.Not least of those was his mum Delsi-May, a soul and Motown singer also known by her stage name Ruby Washington.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBefore the game against the Netherlands, Delsi-May said in a moment captured on TikTok that she hoped “they finally let my son come on the f***ing pitch”.Unlike many of his peers, Ollie, 28, wasn’t cosseted as a young player by one of the great clubs of the Premier League.Rewind nine years to the footballing backwater of Basingstoke, in Hampshire.It was a blustery March day at the Ark Cancer Charity Stadium for a National League South clash between Basingtoke and Weston-super-Mare AFC in the sixth tier of English football.Most read in Euro 2024With the teams locked at 1-1 and the game drifting towards full-time, the visitors asked their teenage striker to warm up.In the 80th minute, on jogged Ollie Watkins — on loan from Exeter City. But there would be no last minute heroics. RISE OF WATKINSInstead, it was Basingstoke who scored a 90th-minute winner.Ollie’s familiarity with the tough tackles and rough pitches of non-league football may help to explain why he has managed to remain humble and grounded.Mum Delsi-May said: “Oliver is a man of very few words.“We’ve got a family group chat, and he never brags or anything, we literally have to draw everything out of him. He’s so humble and I love that about him.“He’s quite nonchalant about the fact that he’s doing something he loves. He assumes it’s the norm, but it’s not. I’m immensely proud.”A mark of Ollie’s warm and generous character is his friendship with Woody Stokes.Woody, who has Down’s syndrome and autism, had waited more than 90 minutes for Ollie to sign an autograph when he was playing for Brentford.Since then, Ollie has welcomed the 11-year-old into his box at Villa Park and during lockdown drove to his home to deliver Easter eggs.Ollie said: “It’s more than just him being a fan. We’ve got a close little friendship. He is involved with a charity called Skylarks, so I support them too.”Rising star Ollie playing for his youth sideThe striker performing for Exeter City’s under 16’sCredit: BPMIt speaks volumes of a man who, despite the riches of the Premier League, has remained true to his upbringing. Born in December 1995 in Torquay, Devon, dad Steven and mum Delsi-May split when Ollie was a child.He was raised in the small market town of Newton Abbot, on the fringes of Dartmoor.Bringing up Ollie, his brothers Richie, Dale and Jordan, and sister Charlotte alone, Delsi-May often took the children to her shows.Ollie said: “I got taken along to her gigs with my brother when I was younger. She also used to work on cruise ships and that’s when she was away. My singing? I probably let the family down with that but one thing I got from mum, I think, was a very good music taste.“My grandad listened to Frank Sinatra, mum listened to Whitney Houston, the blues, soul, and I like that stuff.”Ollie had been rejected for a place at Exeter City’s academy aged nine but a year later he made the grade.It meant Delsi-May having to juggle her work with a 40-mile round trip for his football training.She said: “I had to bomb it over to school, bring them back, get them something to eat, get them in the car, bomb it over to Exeter during rush hour. Then I had to make sure I got back in time for me to get to work.”Ollie’s close friend Matt Jay, a fellow pupil at South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter City’s academy, recalls his old teammate failing to initially make the grade.Midfielder Matt, now at League Two Colchester United, said: “I joined Exeter at under-nines.“I think the story is that Ollie didn’t make it that year, but came back the next.“You could tell he had something, but people develop at different rates. Exeter’s academy was all about technical ability.“I’m not saying that Ollie wasn’t blessed with that, but he wasn’t the best player there, for sure.“He was very fast but he was a late developer.”Ollie in action for Weston-Super-MareCredit: BPMOllie eventually did progress through the ranks for Exeter, winning a professional contract, and making his league debut against Hartlepool United in 2014.But he was far from the finished article. When Ollie and Matt were 18, they were sent on loan to non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC on the Somerset coast.Matt, 28, said: “It was difficult. It was our first loan. We probably thought it was going to be a bit easier than it was.“We used to travel up Tuesday and Thursday evenings for training, get back way past midnight.“But that was all part of the learning experience. And I think that helped Ollie a lot to realise that you weren’t going to just walk into a first team.“You see Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden coming through so young at great clubs, and we all think we’re going to do that. But the reality is, it’s not that easy.“There are times where you wonder if you’re going to make it. A lot of it is about timing.”Back at Exeter, Ollie broke into the first team and began banging in the goals.In 2017, Brentford, then in the Championship, signed him for £1.8million.After 45 goals in 132 appearances he was bought by Aston Villa for a £33million fee.In the season just gone, he scored 19 Premier League goals, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League. England had come calling in March 2021 — and Delsi-May was cleaning her car when Ollie broke the news.She said: “I’m glad he did when I was in the car, because I let out the biggest scream. If I’d have let that out in the street, people would have said, ‘Find that woman a mental hospital!’ I still can’t believe it. I’m immensely proud.”Ollie scored with his first shot on target on his England debut in a 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley.He told the High Performance podcast just how much it means to him to represent his country.He said: “It’s one of the best feelings and one that I relish. I love it when I go out there. I’m standing there and singing the national anthem and I’ve got goosebumps.“Representing your country is one of the biggest honours, especially where the squad is at the moment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I feel like I can do more, I’ve got a lot to bring to the table. That’s my aim — to achieve something great with them.”For this unassuming lad from Newton Abbot, that golden opportunity may come in Berlin on Sunday.The England star’s family at the EurosCredit: Splash More

  • in

    Bombshell details of ‘Schumacher blackmail plot’ emerge including chilling ‘phone threat to REVEAL star’s condition’

    BOMBSHELL details have been revealed in the chilling case of Michael Schumacher’s £12million blackmail plot. Two men have been accused of threatening the Ferrari legend’s family and conspiring to reveal the star’s health condition on the dark web.Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher’s blackmail plot has been revealedCredit: AlamyMarkus F, the former security guard for the Schumacher family, allegedly planned the blackmail plotCredit: FacebookHe hired bouncer Yilmaz T to extort £12million from Schumachar’s family, it is claimedMichael Schumacher suffered a ‘life-changing’ crash while skiing 10 years agoCredit: AFPOne of them is said to have worked for Schumacher’s family as a security guard for almost five years. The man – who can only be named as Markus F due to German law – allegedly stole two hard drives of medical data said to contain the health records of the motorsport legend.Schumacher, who hasn’t been seen or heard from for over a decade after a horror ski crash, has been looked after by his close-knit family since the accident.The seven-time world champion’s family have kept his health a guarded secret for years.more on the f1 legend Markus, along with co-accused Yilmaz T who he allegedly hired in return for a small commission, is accused of trying to extort £12million from Schumacher’s wife Corinna by threatening to dump all the data in the public domain.The former security guard allegedly stole around 1,500 files, including photos, videos, medication lists and the contents of Schumacher’s patient file, BILD reports. Some of the files were even sent to his family as proof. On June 3, Yilmaz T, who worked as a bouncer, called Schumacher’s office in Switzerland using a private number, it is claimed.Most read in MotorsportHe revealed he had two hard drives filled with the sporting legend’s medical records and threatened to leak them on the dark net, it is alleged.On the morning of June 5, Yilmaz T allegedly revealed he received the data from a third-party source. He was then given an email address to send some of the files to check their authenticity, it is claimed.The bouncer then allegedly involved his son Daniel L., who helped his father set up an anonymous email address to send the files.At around 2pm on the same day, Schumacher’s office is said to have received an email from the private address containing genuine files and pictures about Schumachar’s medical records.On June 17, Yilmaz allegedly called Schumachar’s office again and demanded £12million for the first time in exchange for the two hard drives that contained all the secret medical records.He demanded half the money in exchange for the first hard drive and said he would take the rest after three days and hand over the second hard drive, it is claimed.Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna before his accident in 2013Credit: AlamySoon, Schumacher’s family contacted the Swiss authorities to file a report about the alleged blackmail plot, with Swiss police then working alongside German cops to investigate the case.On July 4, officers arrested Markus – accused of being the main perpetrator – in his apartment in Wülfrath. They also detained Yilmaz and his son Daniel L. for the alleged blackmail plot. Authorities said they were able to track down the alleged extortionists through “technical measures”.Senior public prosecutor Wolf-Tilman Baumert, spokesman for the Wuppertal public prosecutor’s office, said: “After the advanced investigations, we currently assume that the accused son may have acted more as an accomplice.”The Schumacher family have been tormented over Michael’s health in the past.In 2016, a 25-year-old man known as Hüseyin B sent a threatening email to Corinna targeting the couple’s children.The mum-of-two quickly passed on the email to the police who swiftly tracked down the painter.After being arrested, the thug was sent to court where a judge sentenced him to a year and nine months behind bars.The perpetrator was reportedly caught after he told Corinna to send him the money to his personal bank account – something the police easily traced back.In May, the Schumacher family were awarded £170,000 in compensation after a magazine published a fake AI-generated interview with the racing legend.READ MORE SUN STORIESGerman publication Die Aktuelle claimed to have secured a “world exclusive” with the severely injured Ferrari great last April despite Michael not being seen publicly since his 2013 skiing accident.In a two-page spread, promoted with a picture of Schumacher, it claimed the seven-time F1 champ had said: “My life has totally changed.”What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from the hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.Schumacher is a seven-time world champion and a Ferrari legendCorinna has been taking care of Schumacher ever since the horrific crash More

  • in

    Footballer, 21, who nearly died after being stabbed three times in a park ready to embark on Champions League adventure

    A FORMER Aston Villa starlet who was left fighting for his life after being stabbed THREE times is now preparing for Champions League action.Brad Young was only 17 when the horrific attack occurred at a park in Solihull in May 2020.Brad Young has bounced back from his life-saving surgery in incredible fashionCredit: Michael SchofieldThe striker required life-saving surgery after he was left with a 12cm knife wound and required three blood transfusions.Now, four years later, he is preparing to lead the line for Welsh club The New Saints in the Champions League qualification rounds.Recalling the horrifying night of the attack, he said: “I was in a park with my friends and a random group of lads approached me, attacked me and tried to rob me.“I fought back, the guy that punched me in my face had me in a headlock and I just felt something weird in my back. I let go, looked down and saw I’d been stabbed three times.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“I called the ambulance and then collapsed to the floor. They rushed me into hospital and they didn’t know what was going to happen, one of the stab wounds hit an artery and I lost a lot of blood.“It was 12cm deep and I needed three blood transfusions, that’s what saved my life.“Then I had to wait for the surgery and as I was lying there I was asking whether I could play football again.”He continued: “At that age I was messing about and going out, I wasn’t taking football seriously, I was partying, normal stuff 17-year-olds do, but not normal for a footballer to do.Most read in Football“If anything it was a good thing and it opened my eyes up for what I really wanted to do and what I had been working all my life to do.“It just woke me up and realised I had to stop messing about and knuckle down. I am proud of myself.”Premier League Fixtures released for 2024/25 season More

  • in

    Rangers legend, 45, goes from major health scare to shock career change as he’s set to box ‘Scotland’s Jake Paul’

    RANGERS legend Nacho Novo is set to make his boxing debut. The Spaniard spent six years with the Scottish giants, winning three league titles and scoring 68 in 236 games. Rangers legend Nacho Novo is set to make his boxing debutCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun GlasgowHe retired from football in 2017 and moved into coaching in America. But now at the age of 45, Novo is making a shock move into the boxing ring to face Scot TikToker Caz Milligan. Milligan – like Jake Paul – has crossed over from a career in social media into boxing. They are set to fight at Glasgow’s famed OVO Hydro on August 10. READ MORE IN BOXINGNovo memorably scored the winning penalty to send Rangers into the the 2008 Uefa Cup final – which they lost to Zenit Saint Petersburg.He later moved on to Sporting Gijon in his native Spain and had spells in Poland, Northern Ireland, USA and back in Scotland with Morton.He also opened a bar in Paisley Road west and became a coach with Lexinton SC in Kentucky.In 2018, he suffered a suspected heart attack while playing for Rangers veterans in a tournament in Germany.Most read in BoxingWho are these famous footballers?CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe suffered a stroke months after his health scare – but is now fighting fit again. Novo said: “Twenty years ago I used to score goals for Rangers. Now I’m fighting my biggest fan.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”What I have been passed through, I’ve had lots of problems in my life – health problems.”Whatever happens in life you can push through yourself and try to do whatever you want to do.”I’m excited for this event and hope everybody can come and support me and enjoy.”Novo facing off with boxing opponent Caz Milligan More

  • in

    Slovenia star who suffered with depression reveals heartwarming moment with Declan Rice before England clash

    ENGLAND midfielder Declan Rice shared some kind words with Slovenia counterpart Josip Ilicic.The Maribor forward has opened up about his battles with depression in the past, which almost led him to retire in 2022.Declan Rice proved he is a true sportsmanCredit: GettyJosip Ilicic helped Slovenia draw with EnglandCredit: GettyHe revealed that Rice, 25, reached out before yesterday’s game in an incredible act of sportsmanship.Ilicic, 36, told Sky Italy: “My story is inspirational. I’m glad to hear that, honestly. “Even today, entering the pitch there was an England player who complimented me.”He told me he respects me a lot. It was nice to hear. My story is well known around the world. READ MORE ON EURO 2024″The player who said that? He’s a midfielder for Arsenal, I’m sure you know him, Declan Rice.”Former Atalanta star Ilicic was hospitalised with an infection in his lymph nodes in 2018.He said: “I realised football isn’t everything in life.“At times people get angry over nothing, but that illness changed me. Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I didn’t even want to watch the games. My family, team-mates and the coach stood by me, then once I recovered, it was an issue of finding match fitness.”Ilicic was also hit by the death of Fiorentina team-mate Davide Astori and took a year out from the game in 2022 after struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYFans hail Anthony Gordon for ‘refreshingly raw’ TV interview after England’s bore 0-0 Euro 2024 draw with Slovenia He added: “I was afraid to go to sleep.“I thought I would never wake up in the morning and see my family again. “It was hard to recover. You start from below zero and you have to get used to moving and running again, as if I were a child.”You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More

  • in

    Anthony Joshua in discussions to build a care home for retired ex-boxers as fans hail his ‘heart of gold’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA is in discussions to build a care home for retired ex-boxers.Dave Harris is Chairman of Ringside Charitable Trust, an organisation to support fighters in retirement. Anthony Joshua is in discussions to build a care home for retired ex-boxersCredit: RexAnd Harris revealed AJ – an ambassador for the trust – has reached out to collaborate with the charity to build a care home for ex-boxers. The news had fans hailing Joshua – worth an estimated £175million – for his heartwarming gesture. One said: “I have great admiration for Anthony Joshua the boxer, but AJ the person is incredible, heart of gold and I hope more people follow by his example.”Another added: “Class from AJ.”READ MORE IN BOXINGWomen’s boxing pioneer Jane Couch posted: “Brilliant news for this much needed cause.”One posted: “The most incredible news and really hope something can be worked out.”Joshua first revealed his intention on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. He said: “They suffer by themselves, so we’ve been speaking about opening up a care home. Most read in BoxingHow AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.

    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“That would be part of my boxing legacy – that I gave something back to the sport that made me.”He added: “The one thing I would hope for is to keep my health intact. Anthony Joshua to fight Daniel Dubois as Wally Downes Jr gives rundown on all-British bout “Because it’s your health that is the most important thing you’re ­putting on the line.“We can notice it in fighters when their health is deteriorating, but we never actually talk about it among ourselves. All we focus on is winning.”Joshua has shown his kind side before, making a donation to England Boxing during the coronavirus pandemic to help amateur boxing. He also sent necessities to Nigeria during lockdown. Joshua, 34, is set to return to the ring in September with British rival Daniel Dubois, 26, the frontrunner to face him.Joshua has an estimated net worth of £175mCredit: GETTY More

  • in

    Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr reveals death of son DeAndre by suicide in heartbreaking post

    ROY JONES JR has tragically revealed his son has died after taking his own life.The boxing legend, 55, took to social media with a heartwrenching post.Roy Jones Jr confirmed the tragic death of his son DeAndreCredit: GettyIn it, he described how thankful he was to be able to spend the final evening of DeAndre’s life together. And the former four-weight world champion has understandably asked for space to process the devastating loss.DeAndre was understood to be 30 at the time of his sad death. Jones Jr wrote: “Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday.READ MORE ON BOXING”I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family.”I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life.”God gives it and God should be the one to take it away.”Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss.Most read in Boxing”Thank you for the love and support.”DeAndre was one of three children born to Jones Jr and his wife Natlyn – after his brothers Roy III and twin DeShaun.’It felt like a mule had kicked me in the chest,’ reveals Mike Tyson’s last opponent in frightening warning to Jake PaulJones Jr shared this heartbreaking post on social mediaCredit: X @RealRoyJonesJrTheir legendary father rose to prominence in the boxing world in the 1990s – following his silver medal as an amateur at the 1988 Olympics.He was crowned middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight world champ, cementing his status as one of the greatest boxers ever to step into the ring. In 2003, Jones Jr became the first boxer to win both middleweight and heavyweight world titles for 106 years.He won a staggering 66 – including 47 by knockout – of his 76 fights.Jones Jr came out of retirement in 2020 for an exhibition bout with Mike Tyson which ended in a draw after eight rounds in Los Angeles.However, he lost his most recent dust-up to Anthony Pettis as recently as April 2023, three months after his 54th birthday. READ MORE SUN STORIESJust months later, he split from coaching British star Chris Eubank Jr after two years.Jones Jr released his first studio album – titled Round One: The Album – in 2002 and has also appeared in various films. Jones Jr is married to NatlynCredit: GettyThe American is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all timeCredit: GettyYou’re Not Alone
    EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
    It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
    It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
    And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
    Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
    That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
    The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
    Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
    If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More

  • in

    Barnabas Varga gives health update as he shares emotional post from wife after sickening collision at Euro 2024

    BARNABAS VARGA has issued his first update on his condition in hospital after a sickening collision that overshadowed Hungary’s Euro 2024 game with Scotland.The striker was carried off on a stretcher following an aerial challenge with Scottish keeper Angus Gunn in the second half of the Group A finale.Team-mates have waited anxiously for more news on Barnabas VargaCredit: GettyThe Hungary striker was carried off, with players from both sides shockedCredit: PABarnabas Varga shared a touching message from his wifeCredit: Instagram varga.barnabas_Varga and wife Laura Skrapits celebrate after he won the Hungarian top flight this yearCredit: Instagram: varga.barnabas_And today he shared an Instagram post from his wife Laura Skrapits.She shared a picture of her holding Varga’s hand at his bedside.Her post was captioned: “Thank you for your kind, supportive messages. Barni is over the surgery.”A little rest is waiting for him but he’ll be fine!”READ MORE TOP STORIESHungary team-mates huddled around to protect the Ferencvaros star from view as he was treated on the pitch for several minutes.Players from both sides were clearly anxious over his condition.It was later revealed the 29-year-old had fractured a cheekbone, which rules him out of the rest of the tournament and his dad Andras revealed he underwent surgery.After Kevin Csoboth had hit the only goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time it was immediately obvious where the thoughts of the Hungarian players were focused.Most read in Euro 2024They wore shirts with Varga’s name on it as they walked around in muted mood despite winning.Skipper Dominik Szoboszlai – the Liverpool midfielder – led the way.Tartan Army begins mass exodus from Germany as thousands of Scotland fans head home after Euro 2024 heartbreakAnd even as he raised his arms to acknowledge fans, the expression of the 23-year-old showed he was mirroring their concern over Varga.The 13-cap frontman was reportedly conscious and able to communicate with medics taking him to hospital.Varga was carried off on a stretcher and able to communicate with medical staff on his way to a hospital in StuttgartThe Hungarian camp and Ferencvaros both then issued statements to say he was conscious and in a “stable” condition.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYLiverpool midfielder Szoboszlai highlighted the concern for VargaCredit: GettyHungary boss Marco Rossi said his players had been ‘really worried’Credit: GettyDominik Szoboszlai showed his team’s priority was Varga’s condition as he wore the frontman’s top after the 1-0 win over ScotlandCredit: GettyHis club also promised to update concerned supporters “immediately” when they receive more news.Hungary manager Marco Rossi told BBC Sport on Sunday night: “Varga is okay.”Unfortunately he will be operated on because he suffered a fracture. “We will see, if we progress in the tournament for sure he will not be with us.”Rossi also revealed the fears of his players at the time of the incident.He said: “What I heard from the players is that Barney looked unconscious.”Everybody was really worried about his condition, and worried that the doctors arrived a bit late. Probably they didn’t realise it was a dangerous situation.“We can say now that Barney is not under any kind of risks. “Probably he will be operated on in the coming hours because he suffered a fracture here (cheek), but he’s healthy.”Man of the match Roland Sallai spoke of the ‘terrible incident’Credit: GettyMan of the match Roland Sallai also spoke of the “terrible moment”.He said: “He’ll have to go tough, a minor operation, but we cross our fingers for him that he can return. “Naturally it was a terrible incident. Of course we were fighting for him in the remaining minutes and this win is dedicated to him.”Varga, who has played all his club football in his home country and Austria, was Hungary’s four-goal top scorer in qualifying for the Euros.He started all three of their group matches in Germany this month.And he netted the first of their only two goals so far.Varga gave the Hungarians’ brief hope in their opening match, a 3-1 loss to Switzerland.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe neatly finished off a sublime pass from Szoboszlai when they trailed 2-0.Then came a 2-0 loss to Germany and the 1-0 defeat of Scotland that saw his horrific accident.Hungary Euro 2024 guideA DECADE ago Hungary’s glory days seemed gone forever, but they’ve now qualified for three European Championships in a row.
    A 4-0 win away to England and an unbeaten qualifying campaign shows how dangerous the Hungarians can be on their day.
    MANAGER: Marco Rossi
    One of five Italian coaches at Euro 2024, Rossi has been granted Hungarian citizenship after revitalising the national team during his six years in charge.
    STAR MAN: Dominik Szoboszlai
    Hungary’s captain had a fine start to life at Liverpool before getting injured and losing his form.
    How Hungary attack
    Hungary will slow things down in possession as they look to draw an opposition press.
    From there, they will then tend to his a longer ball over the top of through the opposition defence.
    How Hungary defend
    Hungary will tend to split their press with three players engaging the opposition defence on the ball and the rest sitting deep.
    When this is unsuccessful, it can lead to the opposition finding plenty of space to attack.
    Read the full Hungary Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags More