Christian Eriksen has revealed he watched footage of his on-field collapse at Euro 2020 the following day while recovering in hospital.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening fixture at the tournament in June 2021, leaving the sporting world in shock after suddenly collapsing on the pitch.
As his distraught team-mates surrounded him to prevent cameras from filming their stricken friend, the Dane was quickly rushed to hospital while fans across the globe prayed for his recovery.
Thanks to the speed of Denmark’s medical staff and the life-saving operation he underwent in hospital, Eriksen made a full recovery and was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device – which has not only allowed him to continue living but also to carry on playing football.
And the midfielder, who now plays back in the Premier League with Manchester United, watched his collapse against Finland just 24 hours later in hospital.
Christian Eriksen has revealed he watched footage of his collapse at Euro 2020 the next day
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening fixture at the tournament in June 2021, with his distraught team-mates surrounding him while medics rushed to the scene
The midfielder fortunately made a full recovery in hospital and was fitted with an ICD device
‘I actually saw it almost the day after it happened, just really to see what happened and get through all the emotions and prepare myself for later,’ he told The Telegraph.
‘But it never gets any easier. You watch it and then you don’t really think about what it is. You just look at it and then that’s it.
‘What I’ve personally learnt is really just enjoy while you’re here and enjoy whatever comes and play football if it’s fun. And if it’s not fun, do something else.’
Due to Italian football regulations forbidding players from wearing ICD devices, after returning to full health Eriksen left Inter Milan and sealed a sensational return to the sport with Brentford in January of last year.
The former Tottenham star received an emotional welcome back to English football less than two years after departing Spurs, before going on to register 11 appearances for Thomas Frank’s side as they secured a 13th-place finish.
His impressive form in the second half of last season then earned him a move to United last summer, where he has featured 39 times under Erik ten Hag.
Speaking about his initial return to the Premier League, Eriksen continued: ‘I had a very good time there, and I will always be grateful to Brentford and Thomas Frank for giving me the chance to come back.
‘But also, I told Thomas from the start that if something more exciting comes that I could see myself at a top level that I would go for it. And for me, luckily United came in and that was really it.’
Eriksen eventually made his return to football with Brentford after heading back to England
He is now at Manchester United and could feature for the club in next month’s FA Cup final
But for Eriksen spending precious time with his family is the most rewarding part of life
Almost two years since his terrifying collapse, Eriksen is set to play for United in the FA Cup final against bitter rivals Manchester City next month.
However, even the thought of lining up at Wembley fails to compare to spending precious time with partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen and their two children.
‘For me, it’s been a lot more important just coming back and being a person than coming back and doing anything else,’ he said.
‘For me, the first aim was to come back and be a full-time dad and a full-time boyfriend. That, for me, is the most important.’
Source: dailymail.co.uk
