Dynamo Dresden defender Bünning on brain bleed: 'It was life and death'

Dynamo Dresden centre-back Lars Bünning has described publicly for the first time the brain haemorrhage he suffered in late May. The 28-year-old spoke at a live podcast event with former teammate Stefan Kutschke. "It was a matter of life and death," Bünning said, according to German sports agency SID.

Bünning said he suddenly felt unwell while getting ready for a stag party. His wife called for help and he was flown to hospital by helicopter, where he was placed in an induced coma because of swelling before undergoing emergency surgery. A congenital vascular malformation in his head was completely removed, he said. "If action hadn't been taken quickly enough, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

Bünning, who helped Dynamo win promotion to the second division in 2025, is currently unable to play. What is expected to be his final operation is scheduled for Dec. 1. He hopes to make a comeback but described his recovery as a series of small steps. His contract with the 16th-placed club runs until the end of the season.