Burgstaller resigns: Rapid celebrates European Cup place and new start!

Burgstaller resigns: Rapid celebrates European Cup place and new start!

Guido Burgstaller has announced his retirement from professional football after an impressive career. The 36-year-old SK Rapid striker ended his career on a positive note when his team won 3-0 against LASK on June 2, 2025, securing a place in the European Cup. Burgstaller scored the first goal of the game after a mistake by Hrvoje Smolcic and also delivered a crucial cross to Ercan Karas.

This final game was particularly significant for Burgstaller as it marked his 211th game for Rapid. He describes his decision to end his career as conscious and something that matured over a long period of time. “It was an honor for us,” said Burgstaller, who is happy about his valuable contribution to the team.

A sad farewell

In his last home game against champions Sturm Graz, which took place just a week before the last guest game in Salzburg, Burgstaller was given a fitting farewell. Despite difficult circumstances, the team believed in their abilities, which Burgstaller found particularly important. After suffering a serious head injury in December, he is grateful for his current state of health and the opportunity to successfully complete his career.

Markus Katzer, Sports Director of SK Rapid, plans to keep Burgstaller in another role at the club in order to be able to benefit from his experience. Burgstaller does not rule out a return to Rapid in the future and is in contact with the club. His journey back to his native Carinthia is also an important step towards distancing himself from football.

Commitment beyond football

During his final weeks in football, Burgstaller also found time to pursue a social project. He took a trainer B license course and launched the “Bande mit Herz” project, which supports children and young people with physical and mental disabilities. He has already carried out the first activities of the project, which corresponds to his desire to make a difference beyond football.

The importance of sports psychology in football, which was already discussed by Burgstaller's last coach Stefan Kulovits, is also evident in this phase of his career. Sport psychology is still considered important in football, but access to it often remains difficult for many players, which is also an issue in the industry. Understanding psychological aspects of the game could also help develop players' mental strength and guide them through such transitions.

Burgstaller will follow the coming season as a spectator and is certainly a defining figure in football who wants to go to the next level both in terms of sport and humanitarianism.