"When José Barcala and his coaching team nodded briefly from the sidelines and waved Barbara Dunst over, the floodlights above the Max-Morlock-Stadion seemed to shine brighter for a moment. More than 7,000 spectators watched as the Austrian quickly pulled on her jersey, tied her boots and ran almost impatiently towards the pitch. She almost forgot to introduce herself to the fourth official. At that moment, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face."
""I think everyone who's been close to me over the last few months knows that I accepted the injury from the very first second," she said later. "I never saw it as a setback, but as an opportunity to regroup. And I'm grateful to everyone who's supported me. They've always seen me as a person, not just 'football Dunsti'. That will remain forever. That's what makes this comeback so special.""
Barbara Dunst returned to the pitch 336 days after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture on 3 December 2024 during Austria's 1-0 loss to Poland. The injury abruptly ended her season and jeopardised her planned second half with Eintracht Frankfurt and preparation for the European Championship. Rehabilitation required patience, learning and sustained support from her team and circle. Dunst made her comeback in Nuremberg wearing the FC Bayern Women jersey, received applause from the bench and beamed with relief and pride. She framed the injury as an opportunity to regroup and expressed deep gratitude to those who supported her as a person, not just a player.
Read at FC Bayern Women
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