Former Premier League defender Jan Bednarek, who now plays for Porto, and his family were threatened with a knife during a terrifying burglary at their home in Portugal on Friday night. The 30-year-old Poland international returned home around 9:30 PM with his wife and young daughter after attending an art exhibition to find an intruder inside their house. The burglar reportedly brandished a knife at Bednarek before fleeing with items worth approximately €150,000 (£129,000).
Celebration cut short
Bednarek had been celebrating Porto's league title victory, secured last weekend with a 1-0 win over Alverca in which he scored the winning goal. The triumph ended Porto's four-year drought without a league title. However, the joyous mood was shattered by the home invasion. Portuguese newspaper Record broke the story, and social media has since been flooded with messages of support for the defender and his family.
Career move to Porto
Bednarek joined Porto in July following Southampton's relegation from the Premier League, ending an eight-year stint at the club where he made 254 appearances. He has been a key figure for Porto this season, making 48 appearances and scoring four goals. He partners his international teammate Jakub Kiwior in central defence, forming a formidable backline that has conceded just 15 goals in 32 league matches, losing only once domestically.
Porto's leadership
Porto's title triumph was orchestrated by 37-year-old Italian coach Francesco Farioli and club president Andre Villas-Boas, the former Chelsea manager. Farioli expressed his emotions after the title-clinching victory: "It's very emotional, I'm very happy for everyone. For this group, for the group of people who work here, for Jorge Costa, for the president, for the people who are here... Everyone deserved a title like this after a long time without one."
World Cup disappointment
Bednarek will miss the upcoming World Cup after Poland failed to qualify for the 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Poland were beaten 3-2 by Sweden in a play-off, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a dramatic late winner.
