Christian Eriksen is in good spirits and is hoping to be discharged from hospital today after collapsing on the pitch during Denmark's friendly with Ukraine. The 34-year-old midfielder fell to the ground in the 65th minute, holding his chest, prompting TV cameras to cut away. The match was halted and subsequently postponed with Denmark leading 2-1 at Nature Energy Park. Eriksen briefly lost consciousness but soon regained it.
Background and Previous Incident
This incident echoes the cardiac arrest Eriksen suffered during the 2020 European Championships in a 1-0 defeat to Finland. Following that event, he underwent surgery to fit an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device, allowing him to continue his playing career.
Medical Updates
Denmark's national team doctor, Morten Boesen, provided an update shared by Eriksen on social media: I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well. He is with his family and in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home. We are taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them.
The Danish Football Union (DFU) also issued a statement: Christian Eriksen is conscious and doing well under the circumstances. The match has been called off.
Doctor's Detailed Assessment
Boesen, who was with the national team when Eriksen collapsed five years ago, confirmed that the midfielder would undergo further tests at the hospital. He stated: Christian is doing well and walked off the pitch by himself. As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should. He was briefly unconscious but regained consciousness very quickly and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident. We are in ongoing contact with him and the doctors at the hospital. But Christian is doing well and he asked me to send his regards to all the players and tell them that he was okay.
Reaction from Denmark's Coach
Denmark boss Brian Riemer also commented after the match: Christian Eriksen waved to his team-mates as he left the pitch. A few minutes before he fell ill, he had had a tussle with Ruslan Malinovskyi and I thought that was why he looked so distressed, but I was wrong. From that moment on, neither I nor the players on the pitch could have carried on with the match.
The incident sparked widespread concern, with players from both teams gathering around Eriksen to protect him. The DFU confirmed that the match was called off, and Eriksen is now recovering with his family.
