Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen will get a heart-starter device implanted after his collapse during his team’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on Saturday, the national team doctor said in a statement on Thursday.
Eriksen’s life was saved when CPR was administered on the pitch and his heart was restarted with a defibrillator before he was taken to hospital, where he is recovering.
He will receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a small electronic device that is a type of pacemaker and can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm.
“After Christian has been through different heart examinations, it has been decided that he should have an ICD,” doctor Morten Boesen said in a statement. “This device is necessary after a cardiac attack due to rhythm disturbances.
“Christian has accepted the solution and the plan has moreover been confirmed by specialists nationally and internationally who all recommend the same treatment.”
Meanwhile, Denmark captain Simon Kjaer, who received widespread praise for his role in helping Eriksen so quickly after his collapse, said in a statement on Twitter: “It has been some very special days, where football has not been the most important thing.
“A shock, that will be part of me — part of all of us — forever! The only thing that is important and really matters, is that Christian is OK!!
“I am proud of how we acted as a team and how we stood together in these difficult times. I am touched and very grateful for all the support.
“Today, we will enter the pitch against Belgium with Christian in our hearts and thoughts. It gives us peace in our minds, which allows us to focus on the game of football.
“We will play for Christian, and as always for all of Denmark. That is the greatest motivation for all of us. As always: we will do our best!”
Denmark face Belgium in Copenhagen at noon ET in a game which Eriksen will watch from his hospital bed, manager Kasper Hjulmand said.
Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku, a teammate of Eriksen’s at club level with Inter Milan, said his side will put the ball out of play on 10 minutes to allow for a tribute to the Danish midfielder.
