Armed robbery forces Peter Gulacsi out of Villarreal Champions League tie

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi missed Villarreal's Champions League match against Napoli after he and his family were held at gunpoint during an armed robbery at their home in Puzol, Spain, on Tuesday morning.

Details of the intrusion

Four masked intruders armed with pistols broke into the luxury estate north of Valencia and ordered Gulacsi to hand over valuables from a locked safe. The incident lasted around an hour and one of his two children was believed to be inside the property.

No injuries were reported, and police have not yet made any arrests. The suspects fled in two luxury cars, and the worth of any stolen items remains unclear.

Impact on Villarreal and the match

Gulacsi, 36, was due to start the Champions League clash with Napoli but withdrew from the squad after the ordeal, leaving the Spanish side to field a replacement goalkeeper. Villarreal went on to win the game 3-1 at Estadio de la Ceramica.

Gulacsi misses Champions League game at Villarreal after armed attack

The Hungarian, who joined Villarreal in August after an eleven‑year spell as the No 1 at RB Leipzig where he made over 350 appearances, was shaken by the event and pulled out of the match.

Sport have approached Villarreal for comment. Gulacsi began his senior career at Liverpool after a loan from MTK Budapest in 2007, but never made a competitive appearance for the Reds during his six‑year stay.

Villarreal overturn early Napoli lead to claim first Champions League win

He earned 58 caps for Hungary before retiring from international duty in the summer of 2025. His wife, Diana Vigh, was with him at the time of the robbery.