Overview
- Vuskovic started Hamburger SV’s friendly against Hajduk Split on Sunday, November 15, 2026, played about 65 minutes and was substituted to standing ovations in a match that finished 1:1.
- More than 50,000 fans attended the Volksparkstadion for the return, with several outlets reporting 54,215 spectators and visible supporter displays of solidarity including 'Free Vuskovic' banners and criticism of NADA.
- The comeback follows the expiry of a four‑year ban imposed after a positive EPO test, originally handed down by the DFB sport court in 2023 and later extended to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport; Vuskovic has consistently denied doping.
- HSV staff praised his physical condition but stressed careful load management and that selection is not automatic, and reports say he could theoretically be considered for the Bundesliga Nordderby at Werder Bremen on November 22, 2026.
- Beyond sport, the day served as a show of community support — highlighted by a Croatia Hamburg fan festival and family presence — and leaves immediate questions about how quickly Vuskovic can regain full match sharpness and how the club will monitor his recovery.