Christian Eriksen thanks doctors for life-saving tech after second cardiac arrest | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Christian Eriksen thanked doctors for their life-saving technology assisting him while he suffered a second cardiac arrest in Denmark’s friendly match with Ukraine on Thursday evening.

The 34-year-old midfielder said in a statement on social media that he is doing well and currently at home with his family after surviving a second incident last week, while letting fans know that his recovery is already underway.

Eriksen experienced his first cardiac arrest during Denmark’s UEFA Euro 2020 match against Finland five years ago, and was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) that allowed him to continue as a professional footballer.

He became the first player to play in the top flight with such a device, which is designed to provide an electric shock to restart the heart and restore its rhythm after such a medical event.

He said: “I want to reassure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021. I am feeling good, and my recovery has already started.

“In addition to being grateful for the support and assistance of all the players and the medical team, I am also incredibly grateful for the doctors who have cared for me and my heart over the years.

“Thanks to their expertese, my ICD did exactly what it was designed to do: protect me when I needed it.”

The friendly was promptly called off with the Danes leading their opponents 2-1, after players shielded him from view while he received medical attention and left the field of play – said to have walked into the ambulance himself.

Eriksen added that he is focused on his rehabilitation and playing football with his children.