Villarreal’s first‑team goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi was ruled out of the club’s Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday after an armed robbery at his home. Spanish outlets reported that armed men broke into the Hungarian keeper’s house overnight, while he was with his wife and two children. No injuries were reported, and the club confirmed that Gulácsi would be unavailable for the match “due to personal reasons.”
The incident forced Villarreal to field backup keeper Luiz Júnior in the 3‑1 victory over Napoli. The win was the club’s first in the group stage of the competition, giving them a solid start to their campaign. The robbery, which took place between Monday night and Tuesday morning, was described by local media as an armed home invasion, but the details of the perpetrators or motives remain unclear. Villarreal’s management expressed concern for the safety of Gulácsi and his family and said it would support them during the investigation.
Gulácsi, 36, joined Villarreal from RB Leipzig in August after spending more than a decade with the German club, including spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool. He has earned 58 caps for Hungary and is a regular in the national squad. The goalkeeper’s sudden absence has left the club’s defensive setup in flux, as they had to rely on a less experienced option in the high‑stakes match.
The club’s decision to keep the situation private until the match was played reflects the sensitivity of the matter. While the robbery did not affect the outcome of the game, it raised questions about player security and the measures clubs take to protect their athletes off the pitch. Villarreal’s management has not yet announced any disciplinary actions against the attackers, and the police investigation is ongoing.
Looking ahead, Villarreal will need to manage the squad’s depth as the Champions League progresses. With Gulácsi’s future availability uncertain, the club may consider additional cover or a temporary solution while the investigation concludes. The team will also focus on maintaining momentum in La Liga, where a strong start could set the tone for the remainder of the season.