Christian Eriksen is recovering at home with his family after collapsing during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine, reassuring fans that he is doing well and confirming that his implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) functioned as intended.
Eriksen said this incident was different from the cardiac emergency he suffered at Euro 2020 and noted that both he and his family were affected by the ICD delivering a shock during the episode, according to Sky Sports.
He thanked players, pitchside medical staff, and the doctors who have supported him since 2021 for their swift response and ongoing care.
“I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family. As you can probably imagine, receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major impact on both me and my family, but I want to reassure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021. I am feeling good, and my recovery has already started,” the 34-year-old said.
While appreciative of the immediate assistance, Eriksen said his priority now is recovery and time with his family. He plans to take a break, go on holiday, and spend time playing football with his children before considering a return to professional football activities.
Eriksen’s career has been defined by two major on-pitch medical emergencies that drew global attention, most notably on June 12, 2021, during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen.
He collapsed in the first half near the touchline, unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Teammates and medical staff administered CPR for around 10 minutes while shielding him from view.
He was later stabilised in hospital after being stretchered off with an oxygen mask.
Nearly five years later, on June 6, 2026, he collapsed again during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine in a midfield incident. He was conscious at the time, and the match was abandoned.
According to BBC, since his 2021 cardiac arrest, Eriksen has been living with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, a device that has enabled his return to professional football with Brentford in 2022 and later with Manchester United.