Christian Eriksen Hospitalised After Collapsing During Denmark’s Friendly Against Ukraine

Danish football star Christian Eriksen has been hospitalised after collapsing during Denmark’s international friendly match against Ukraine, prompting the game to be abandoned on Sunday night.

The 34-year-old midfielder went down in the 65th minute of the match in Odense after appearing to clutch his chest before falling to the ground. Norwegian referee Sigurd Smehus Kringstad halted the game, which was later abandoned due to the medical emergency.

According to a statement from the Danish Football Association, national team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed that Eriksen briefly lost consciousness but recovered quickly.

“He was briefly unconscious, but regained consciousness very quickly,” Boesen said.

Players from both Denmark and Ukraine immediately gathered around Eriksen as medical personnel rushed onto the pitch. Fans inside the stadium fell silent before breaking into chants of “Eriksen, Eriksen” in support of the midfielder.

The incident brought back memories of Eriksen’s dramatic collapse during Denmark’s UEFA Euro 2020 match against Finland in June 2021, when he suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the pitch.

Following that incident, Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to monitor and correct life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities. He later returned to professional football, playing for Brentford before moving on to continue his career.

Providing an update on his condition, Boesen said Eriksen was conscious and able to leave the field on his own.

“Christian is doing well and walked off the pitch by himself. As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should,” he said.

“He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident. We remain in close contact with him and the doctors treating him.”

Boesen added that Eriksen had asked him to reassure teammates and supporters that he was recovering well.

Club and former teams quickly sent messages of support following the incident. German club VfL Wolfsburg, where Eriksen currently plays, said it was in close contact with the Danish federation and wished the midfielder a speedy recovery.

Former club Tottenham Hotspur also expressed support, writing on social media: “Our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, Christian. We’re all with you.”