Odense, June 8: Christian Eriksen is “in good spirits” and expected to leave the hospital soon after collapsing on the field again playing for Denmark, the national team’s physician said Monday.
The 34-year-old Eriksen clutched his chest with both hands in an off-the-ball action before dropping to the ground in the 65th minute of Denmark’s international friendly against Ukraine in Odense, Denmark, on Sunday.
The midfielder walked off the field by himself after being attended by medical staff, the Danish soccer federation said after the match, and underwent more tests in Odense University Hospital.
In an update provided by the federation on Monday morning, Denmark team physician Morten Boesen said: “I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well.
“He is with his family and is in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.” Boesen said in the statement that the federation is “taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them.” Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in the months after suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening group game in the European Championship in 2021.
He returned to playing less than a year after that incident. His current team is Wolfsburg in Germany, where he has a contract through the 2026-27 season.
Denmark did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. While the latest incident has understandably sparked concern among fans and the football fraternity, the positive updates from Denmark’s medical team have provided a measure of relief. Eriksen’s remarkable resilience has already been evident since his miraculous return to professional football following the cardiac arrest he suffered during Euro 2020, a comeback that many considered impossible at the time. As the midfielder focuses on his recovery alongside his family, the football world will once again be hoping that one of the game’s most admired figures can overcome this latest health scare. For now, Denmark and Wolfsburg will place football firmly in the background as Eriksen’s well-being remains the priority, with supporters across the globe united in wishing him a full and speedy recovery. (AP)
