Christian Eriksen says he is recovering well and spending time with his family after collapsing during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine on Sunday.
The 34-year-old was taken to hospital after the match in Odense was abandoned following the incident in the 65th minute.
Eriksen regained consciousness on the pitch and was able to leave the field before being transported for further medical assessment.
In a statement shared on social media, the former Manchester United and Tottenham midfielder thanked supporters and medical staff while confirming his recovery is underway.
“As you can probably imagine, receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major effect on both me and my family, but I want to assure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021,” Eriksen wrote.
“In addition to being grateful for the support and assistance of all the players and the medical team on the field, I am also incredibly grateful to the doctors who have cared for me and my heart over the years.
“Thanks to their expertise, my ICD did exactly what it was designed to do: protect me when I needed it.”
ICD responds as intended
Eriksen was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland.
The device allowed him to resume his playing career with Brentford in 2022 before later joining Manchester United. He now plays for German side Wolfsburg.
Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed the device functioned correctly during Sunday’s incident.
“The pacemaker responded as it should,” he said.
Eriksen added that his immediate focus is on recovery and family life.
“For now, my focus is on recovering, spending time with my family, going on vacation and playing football with my children.”
What is an ICD?
An ICD is a small device implanted inside the body that continuously monitors heart rhythm and can deliver treatment if it detects a potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat.
Sports cardiology specialist Aneil Malhotra previously explained that the technology can react within seconds to restore a normal rhythm.
“It works 24 hours a day and is constantly monitoring the heart rhythm,” Malhotra said.
“If the heart develops a dangerous rhythm that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest, the device can rapidly detect it and deliver treatment, including a shock if necessary.”
Unlike the emergency treatment required following Eriksen’s collapse at Euro 2020, the implanted device is designed to intervene immediately without relying on outside assistance.
Eriksen’s football future appeared uncertain after his cardiac arrest five years ago.
His contract with Italian club Inter Milan was terminated by mutual agreement because Serie A regulations do not permit players with ICDs to compete.
However, he returned to action with Brentford eight months later before moving to Manchester United and continuing his international career with Denmark.
Speaking during his comeback in 2022, Eriksen said he had no concerns about playing with the device.
“I don’t see any risk. I have an ICD and if anything would happen then I am safe.”
Players from both Denmark and Ukraine formed a protective circle around Eriksen while he received treatment on the pitch, with the match later abandoned.
The two teams then gathered together after the decision was made to call off the game, before applauding supporters inside the stadium.
Neither Denmark nor Ukraine qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which gets underway later this week, but messages of support for Eriksen have continued to arrive from across the football world as he begins his recovery.
