But support from the local football community has made his time in Dunedin Hospital a bit more bearable.
The former Chilean professional footballer broke his leg in a sickening accident during the Chatham Cup quarterfinal match against Caversham at the Caledonian Ground on Sunday.
The 26-year-old is in the country on a working and holiday visa and, although he speaks English, he has trouble understanding the New Zealand accent.
It has been a frightening and bewildering experience for the talented keeper. But the good news is he is expected to make a full recovery in three to six months.
Manukau City assistant coach Duncan Edwards stayed on in Dunedin to support Bustos and said it had been wonderful, the way people had rallied around his charge.
"Caversham have treated us with complete class and the integrity of everyone involved has been absolutely fantastic - from Richard [Murray, Caversham coach] and his mum putting us up at the Sahara [motel], to the nursing staff at the hospital, who have been absolutely amazing."
Dunedin Technical captain Aaron Burgess, who owns an Athlete's Foot franchise in the city, presented Bustos with a new pair of boots and some training shoes.
One of Bustos' boots had tobe cut away from his foot and Burgess said the gift was a small gesture to help in Bustos' rehabilitation.
Murray presented Bustos with a jacket and an Otago United shirt, courtesy of Footballsouth.
