Christoph Baumgartner opens up on injury recovery and "mental pain" of missing World Cup

Christoph Baumgartner, the RB Leipzig star, was on track to play in Austria's first World Cup in 28 years when a thigh injury forced him out of the tournament. While undergoing surgery and rehab, the mental toll of missing the World Cup proved challenging. "The mental pain was huge," Baumgartner admitted, noting that his lifelong dream of playing in a World Cup was crushed.

Despite the setback, Baumgartner credits his strong support network for helping him through the difficult period. He underwent surgery two days after the injury and returned to the World Cup just a week later, which he found uplifting. Baumgartner emphasized the importance of surrounding himself with people who offered confidence and support.

After his recovery, the 27-year-old focused on setting new goals, including playing in the Champions League with RB Leipzig. Looking ahead, Baumgartner remains hopeful about representing Austria at a World Cup in the future, believing he still has a good chance to play in at least one, and potentially two, tournaments. The timeline for his return from injury remains uncertain, but an autumn comeback seems plausible.