Danish player Christian Eriksen fell ill and fell to the pitch during a friendly against Ukraine this Sunday (7), but regained consciousness, the Danish Football Association reported. “Christian Eriksen is conscious and doing well”, posted the entity on X.
The friendly was canceled after the incident, 20 minutes into the second half.
This is the second time that the 34-year-old midfielder has become ill and fallen to the pitch defending the national team. In 2021, he fainted during Denmark’s European Championship debut against Finland, in Copenhagen, and needed to be revived by a medical team. The player underwent implantation of a pacemaker and was able to resume his career.
This Sunday, a feeling of déjà vu took over Danish football when images showed Eriksen clutching his chest before falling.
“There’s a throw-in, I move to the side, turn a little and see Christian going to the ground. We already know a little what that means,” Danish captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg told Danish broadcaster TV2.
“Everyone reacted very quickly and with respect. I can only praise the courage of those who took care of Christian on the field. I can’t say much more than that: you get scared, but the most important thing is that Christian is fine.”
Just as the players from Denmark and Finland had done five years ago, the Danish and Ukrainian athletes quickly formed a circle around Eriksen as he was attended to by doctors. He managed to walk to the ambulance.
“Christian is fine and left the field under his own power. The pacemaker is working as it should. He was unconscious for a moment but regained consciousness very quickly,” said Danish FA doctor Morten Boesen.
“He will be examined to find out what caused the incident. We are in constant contact with him and the doctors at the hospital.”
Neither Denmark nor Ukraine qualified for this year’s World Cup. The Danes were leading 2-1 when the match was stopped.
After the game was canceled, the players and coaching staff of both teams stood arm in arm in a circle while Danish coach Brian Riemer thanked everyone for their attitude and solidarity.
“The most important thing is that Christian is fine. He left the field and sent his hugs to the players,” Riemer said.
