Armed robbers break into ex-Liverpool goalkeeper’s home near Valencia with his family inside

Péter Gulácsi was at home with his family on a quiet residential estate north of Valencia when armed robbers forced their way in during the early hours of Tuesday, October 13. Just hours later, the former Liverpool goalkeeper was missing from Villarreal’s Champions League clash with Napoli.

Robbers struck while the family was inside

The Villarreal goalkeeper was in the house with his family when the robbers struck in the early hours of Tuesday October 13 at the Los Monasterios urbanisation in Puçol, a coastal town just north of Valencia city. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. However, the intruders threatened those inside to get their hands on valuables, and the Government Delegation in the Valencian Community has confirmed the robbery.

A group of hooded, armed men reportedly got past the property’s perimeter security, although it’s not yet been confirmed how many people were involved, what weapons they carried or what was taken.

Hours later, he was missing from the Champions League 

Villarreal confirmed on Tuesday that the 36-year-old wouldn’t be available for that evening’s Champions League game against Napoli at the Estadio de la Cerámica, with Luiz Júnior starting in goal instead. 

The club said the relevant authorities were told immediately and are carrying out the necessary inquiries, but it hasn’t shared any further details. Spanish sports papers reported he simply wasn’t in a fit state to play after the night he and his family had been through.

The Hungarian started his career at Liverpool

Plenty of Liverpool fans will remember Gulácsi from his time at the club, where he spent five years from 2008 as one of its young goalkeepers. He never made a senior appearance for the Reds though, and picked up his first-team experience on loan at Hereford United, Tranmere Rovers and Hull City.

He went on to spend 11 years at RB Leipzig, where he became captain and won the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) in 2022, before joining Villarreal on a two-year deal in August. He’s also won 58 caps for Hungary, playing at three European Championships.

Footballers’ homes near Valencia have been hit before

It isn’t the first time a player’s home in the area has been targeted. In February 2024, then-Villarreal midfielder Étienne Capoué’s home in Bétera, inland from Valencia, was the scene of an attempted robbery while he and his family were having dinner downstairs.

Then in May this year, Valencia winger Largie Ramazani’s home in the same town was burgled while he was at Mestalla for his side’s match against Barcelona, with cash and valuables reportedly taken. No link between any of the cases has been reported.

Investigators are going through fingerprints and camera footage

Investigators have been collecting fingerprints at the house and going through local security camera footage, according to reports, with no arrests announced so far. Villarreal hasn’t said when Gulácsi will be back in training either, with the club’s focus for now on supporting him and his family while the investigation goes on.