Career End Confirmed: Rapid Striker Burgstaller Draws the Line

There had been some small speculations recently, but now it is finally confirmed: Rapid striker Guido Burgstaller is ending his active professional career at the end of the current season. "Stopping now is the most difficult decision of my entire football life. If someone had told me 20 or 25 years ago that I would make this decision as a 36-year-old player for SK Rapid, I would not have thought this journey possible," said Burgstaller in a video message.

Burgstaller draws the line: Career ends after season

The Carinthian was active not only for the Hütteldorfers, for whom he played between 2011 and 2014 and again from 2022, but also for FC Kärnten (until 2008), SC Wiener Neustadt (2008 - 2011), Cardiff City (autumn 2014), 1. FC Nürnberg (2015 - 2017), FC Schalke 04 (2017 - 2019), and FC St. Pauli (until summer 2022). After almost 600 appearances in national and international competitions, he has 183 goals to his name. He scored 70 of these in the Rapid jersey, which he donned 210 times so far.

Derby goal after serious injury particularly special for Burgstaller

The goal on Sunday will probably remain longest in his memory, not only because it was scored in the Vienna Derby, but because it was his first goal after recovering from a serious head injury inflicted on him at the end of last year during a physical attack in the city center. More opportunities for goals are still available on Sunday (5:00 PM) in the home game against Sturm Graz, where he will be officially bid farewell for the first time, as well as on May 24 in Salzburg. After that, the Hütteldorfers are still hoping for appearances in the Europa League play-off.

"Now it is extremely important to me that I can give everything for Rapid until the last match and contribute my part to a conciliatory season finish," revealed Burgstaller. After that, he will look back on a "wonderful time" and "always carry Green-White in his heart."

Three-time "Rapid Player of the Year"

The Rapid officials are hoping for a future with the 26-time ÖFB national team player. "Guido was and is a true model professional and person on and off the pitch. I very much hope that we will have him back in the SK Rapid circle in another role in the near future," said sports director Markus Katzer. According to Rapid president Alexander Wrabetz, the striker, who was voted "Rapid Player of the Year" in 2022, 2023, and 2024, "will go down in the club's annals as one of the most influential players and characters in recent Rapid history."

(APA/Red)

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