Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s game against Finland at Euro 2020 in June and received life-saving treatment on the pitch. He was then taken to a nearby hospital where doctors performed various tests and decided to implant him with a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) — a pacemaker that is able to restore a normal heart rhythm in case of cardiac arrest.
Following months of recovery, Eriksen was able to start training by himself at boyhood club Odense in Denmark to keep himself in shape. Inter Milan, the club he was contracted to, announced the mutual termination of their engagement at the end of 2021. According to the law in Italy, Eriksen would have been unable to continue playing professionally with an ICD implant.
Eriksen: ‘My goal is to play at the World Cup in Qatar’
Eriksen, who will turn 30 in February, says his heart is “not an obstacle” in his return to playing football at the highest level. He says he hopes to play at the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.
“My goal is to play the World Cup. I want to play. That’s been my mindset all along,” Eriksen said during an interview with Danish channel DR1. “It’s a goal, a dream. Whether I’ll be picked is another thing. But it’s my dream to come back. I’m sure I can come back because I don’t feel any different. Physically, I’m back in top shape,” Eriksen said.
He wishes to return at the Parken in Copenhagen to “prove that it was a one-timer and that it won’t happen again.”
Eriksen, who says he was “dead for five minutes,” spoke about the importance of being supported by so many during his recovery. “People still write to me. I’ve thanked people I’ve met in person. I’ve thanked the doctors, my teammates, and their families in person,” adding that he also thanks his fans for their letters, emails, and flowers during his recovery.
Eriksen’s agent: ‘He will continue to play football’
The World Cup in Qatar kicks off in November. Denmark topped their qualifying group and secured a seat at the most important feast in world football. Eriksen can’t play in Italy, but rules applied in England or the Netherlands don’t stop him from joining a Premier League or an Eredivisie club.
His agent, Martin Schoots, revealed in December he’s in contact with two clubs for his client. “I can confirm that Christian will continue to play football. Two clubs called me a few weeks ago,” Schoots told Gazzetta dello Sport.