News Focus
- Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s match with Ukraine in Odense
- The 34-year-old midfielder lost consciousness but recovered quickly
- Medical staff confirmed his implanted pacemaker functioned correctly
- The friendly match was abandoned after the incident in the 65th minute
- Eriksen previously suffered a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020
The Danish national team faced a frightening moment on Sunday when midfielder Christian Eriksen fell to the ground during a friendly match against Ukraine. The incident occurred at the stadium in Odense.
Medical staff rushed to assist the 34-year-old player after he collapsed in the 65th minute. The referee immediately stopped the game, which was later abandoned.
Eriksen is now in stable condition. He left the pitch without assistance and travelled to hospital for additional tests. The Danish Football Association confirmed he was briefly unconscious but woke up quickly.
Team doctor Morten Boesen explained that Eriksen’s implanted heart device worked properly. “Christian is feeling well. He walked off the field alone,” Boesen stated. “The pacemaker responded exactly as intended. He will remain in hospital for further tests to find the cause of this episode.”
This incident brings back memories of June 2021, when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match against Finland. Following that emergency, doctors fitted him with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). The device allows his heart to maintain a normal rhythm.
Eriksen currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga. He joined the club last summer after spending three seasons with Manchester United. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford earlier in his career.
He was earning his 151st cap for Denmark when the incident occurred. Neither Denmark nor Ukraine will participate in the upcoming World Cup tournament.
Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg witnessed the collapse. “I saw Christian falling to the ground. We all understand what this means given his history,” the Tottenham midfielder told Danish television. “The medical team acted with great courage and speed. Everyone reacted with respect.”
Players from both nations formed a protective circle around Eriksen while he received treatment, repeating the scene from his 2021 emergency. He eventually walked to a waiting ambulance.
National team coach Brian Riemer addressed both squads on the pitch after the abandonment. He later told reporters that Eriksen had sent messages to his teammates to confirm his wellbeing. “He is doing fine. He asked me to tell everyone that he is okay,” Riemer said. “Now we must support each other through this difficult moment.”
Before his return to professional football in 2022, Eriksen spoke about feeling safe with the ICD. He stated that the device protected him from danger and he did not fear playing competitively.