Former Premier League midfielder Akos Buzsaky has confirmed he is safe and well, ending a period of concern in Hungary after reports emerged claiming the 44-year-old had gone missing.
QPR, one of the clubs Buzsaky represented during his playing career, moved quickly on Friday morning to reassure supporters that the former midfielder was alive and in good health, following days of speculation in Hungarian media outlets that he had not been seen or heard from for roughly a week.
Buzsaky, who also had spells at Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth during a career that saw him become a well-known figure in English football, later issued a personal statement to clear up what he described as a misunderstanding. He explained that recent personal difficulties had led him to withdraw temporarily from his usual daily life, rather than anything more sinister being at play.
"Unfortunately, in the past few months, there have been serious changes in my life that have tested me," Buzsaky said in his statement. "There came a moment when I felt I had to break away from these daily routines."
The midfielder acknowledged the wave of concern that had built up around his disappearance, thanking those who had reached out and expressed worry over his wellbeing. Once he became aware of how serious the situation had become, he said he acted immediately to resolve it.
"Thank you very much for all the concern and thoughts you have shown me," he added. "As soon as I learned about the situation, I stopped my retreat and informed the authorities. I wish everyone a very nice day and it felt really good to receive so much love."
The episode has drawn renewed attention to struggles Buzsaky has spoken about publicly since he was forced to retire from professional football in 2015 because of persistent injury problems. Adjusting to life after the game proved difficult for the Hungarian, who has previously opened up about battling personal demons away from the pitch.
In comments made during a podcast appearance following his retirement, Buzsaky was candid about the type of challenges that can affect footballers once their careers come to an end. "What addictions are there: gambling, alcohol, drugs. I fell into one of them, which I am not proud of," he said at the time. "It is a part of my life, if I were to deny it or declare that period as not having happened, I would be deceiving myself."
During his playing days, Buzsaky built a reputation as a creative and technically gifted midfielder, earning admiration during stints in the English lower leagues before making his mark in the Premier League with QPR. His performances helped establish him as a fan favourite at multiple clubs, and news of his disappearance had sparked widespread concern among former teammates, supporters, and the wider football community in both England and Hungary.
With Buzsaky now confirmed safe and having reached out to authorities himself, attention will likely turn to the support systems available for former players navigating the transition away from professional sport. His willingness to speak openly about past struggles, both now and in previous interviews, has been seen by some as an important contribution to reducing stigma around mental health and addiction issues in football.
No further details have been released regarding his current circumstances, and it remains unclear whether Buzsaky plans to make any additional public statements in the near future.
Based on reporting from The Independent.