The 34-year-old previously suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in 2021
Danish footballer Christian Eriksen has collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine.
The former Tottenham and Manchester United midfielder went down on the pitch in Odense. Medical personnel immediately rushed to attend to the Dane as team-mates formed a circle around him.
The match was swiftly abandoned, though Eriksen was conscious and transported away in an ambulance.
A statement from the Danish FA said: “Christian Eriksen is conscious and feeling well according to the circumstances. The match has been called off.”
Supporters inside Nature Energy Park instantly broke into chants backing Eriksen as medics attended to him.
Eriksen previously suffered a cardiac arrest and required resuscitation on the pitch while playing against Finland in 2021.
The Wolfsburg midfielder underwent treatment for ten minutes before getting to his feet, prompting the entire stadium to give him a standing ovation.
Speaking on Danish TV, national team doctor Morten Boesen said he believes Eriksen’s pacemaker saved his life.
“I think it has done what it was put in place to do,” he said
In an encouraging update, he added: “He asked to leave the field himself. That’s a really good sign.
“Christian is doing well, and he asked me to greet all the players and say that he was okay.”
Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner fought back tears as he covered the distressing incident while working as a pundit for Danish TV channel TV2.
“These are horrible pictures, and it completely overshadows the rest of the evening,” said Bendtner.
“My thoughts are with the family and the children, and it’s a difficult situation to be in right now.
“This is the second time it has happened, and as Christian’s friend also… it’s really terrible.”
Denmark were ahead 2-1 at the time, courtesy of goals from Manchester United star Patrick Dorgu and defender Joakim Maehle.
Viktor Tsygankov had pulled one back for Ukraine just before the interval.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch in June 2021 when Denmark were facing Finland at that year’s European Championships.
He received CPR on the pitch before being rushed to hospital, where he was stabilised by medics.
Doctors fitted a defibrillator implant into his heart, and he made a remarkable comeback to professional football with Brentford eight months later.
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