Villarreal goalkeeper Péter Gulacsi missed his side’s Champions League clash against Napoli after an alleged armed home invasion at his residence, with Spanish media reporting that his wife and two children were also present during the incident.
The reported break-in occurred overnight between Monday and Tuesday, forcing the Hungarian international to miss Villarreal’s league-phase encounter against the Italian side.
According to Spanish media reports, armed men entered the goalkeeper’s home while Gulácsi was inside with his family. No injuries were reported following the incident.
Villarreal confirmed before kick-off that the 36-year-old would not feature in the match, offering a brief explanation for his absence.
The Spanish club said Gulácsi was unavailable “due to personal reasons.”
His absence meant Luiz Júnior was handed the responsibility of guarding Villarreal’s goal against Napoli. Despite the disruption surrounding their goalkeeper, the hosts secured a 3-1 victory in the Champions League fixture.
The reported incident has raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding Gulácsi’s absence, although further details about the alleged invasion and any subsequent investigation were not provided in the club’s announcement.
Gulácsi is still relatively new to Villarreal, having joined the Spanish outfit from German club RB Leipzig in August. His arrival followed more than a decade with Leipzig, where he established himself as an experienced goalkeeper in European football.
Before his long spell in Germany, the Hungarian also played for Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool, building a career that has taken him across several prominent European clubs.
At international level, Gulácsi has earned 58 caps for Hungary, underlining his experience and importance to his national team.
His absence against Napoli was therefore a notable development for Villarreal, particularly given his experience between the posts. However, the club managed to overcome the setback on the pitch, claiming all three points with a convincing 3-1 result.
For now, attention remains on the reported incident at Gulácsi’s home and the welfare of his family. While no injuries have been reported, further information about the alleged armed invasion and any police action was not included in the available reports.
Villarreal have yet to provide additional public details about the circumstances surrounding their goalkeeper’s absence beyond the initial statement.
The incident also highlights the personal challenges professional footballers can face away from the pitch, with Gulácsi’s immediate circumstances taking precedence over his club commitments on a major European night.
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