Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was taken to hospital after suffering a injury while saving a penalty during a celebrity penalty shootout promotional event ahead of the World Cup
18:33, 05 Jun 2026Updated 18:52, 05 Jun 2026
Mark Bosnich suffered the injury during a promotional event.(Image: Code Sports)
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich needs surgery after rupturing his quadricep while successfully stopping a penalty. The Australian was part of a celebrity penalty shootout during a promotional event in the build-up to the World Cup.
Bosnich was in goal when ex-AFL chief Gillon McLachlan stepped up to take a penalty. While he managed to make the save, he instantly cried out as he collapsed to the ground.
Some spectators initially believed it was a joke, with the event presenter Archie Thompson commenting: “I hope it is a stitch up, but if it is, man, his acting is incredible.”
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Bosnich managed to rise to his feet and carefully hobble to the touchline where he sat down. Following treatment with ice at the venue, he was transported to hospital.
Images captured him still grinning while applying ice to the affected leg. The 54-year-old has now told Australian outlet Nine that surgery will be necessary for the injury.
The ex-goalkeeper is scheduled to feature as a pundit for Australia’s broadcasting of this summer’s World Cup in North America. Australia are competing in the tournament, taking on Turkey, the USA and Paraguay during the group phase.
Mark Bosnich during his time at Aston Villa.(Image: Shaun Botterill, Getty Images)
Having joined Manchester United from Sydney United as a youngster, Bosnich spent the majority of his playing career in the Premier League.
Most of them came for Aston Villa, with the Australian playing 227 times, keeping 85 clean sheets between February 2022 and July 1999.
He then rejoined Man United, where he remained until 2001. A two-year stint at Chelsea followed between 2001 and 2003.
On the international stage, Bosnich earned 17 caps for Australia between 1993 and 2000, even getting on the scoresheet in the 13-0 World Cup qualification victory over the Solomon Islands in June 1997.
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