Former Premier League midfielder Akos Buzsaky has confirmed he is safe after being reported missing in Hungary for over a week. The 44-year-old, who played for Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the English top flight, had been missing from Budapest since August 18.
Buzsaky took to social media to reassure friends and acquaintances after becoming aware of the search. He stated that "significant changes have occurred in my life over the past few months - changes that have truly put me to the test." He added that "things became overwhelming," leading him to step away from his daily routine, and that his mother contacted the police due to a misunderstanding.
"Thank you so much to everyone who worried about me and kept me in your thoughts," Buzsaky wrote. "As soon as I learned about the situation, I cut my retreat short and we notified the authorities." He expressed that he was "deeply touched by all the love" he had received.
During his playing career, Buzsaky earned 20 caps for Hungary as a midfielder. He also played for Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, and Barnsley before retiring in 2015. He made 18 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Buzsaky's father had previously explained that his son spends a considerable amount of time in Greece, where he works in construction. In a 2022 interview on the Hungarian podcast Neked lágy!, Buzsaky spoke candidly about turning to alcohol, gambling, and drugs after his career ended due to persistent injuries. He described preparing himself subconsciously for the end of his playing days and noted that he should have sought professional help at the time. "I fell into one of them, which I’m not proud of," he admitted.
