Christian Eriksen to Have Heart-Starter Device Implanted After Cardiac Arrest in Game
Jun 17, 2021
Denmark's Christian Eriksen during the international friendly soccer match between Germany and Denmark at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Andreas Schaad)
Christian Eriksen will have a heart-starter device implanted after he collapsed on the pitch and required defibrillation during Denmark's 1-0 loss to Finland in its Euro 2020 opener on Tuesday.
Denmark national team doctor Morten Boesen issued a statement Thursday about Eriksen's decision to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, via Reuters (h/t ESPN.com):
"After Christian has been through different heart examinations, it has been decided that he should have an ICD. 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."
According to Reuters, an ICD is a "type of pacemaker and can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm."
Eriksen collapsed shortly before halftime of Saturday's game. He had to receive CPR on the pitch, and his heart was restarted with a defibrillator.
UEFA originally announced the match between Denmark and Finland was suspended, but it was later restarted after UEFA told the players they could either play the rest of the game that day or restart it on the Sunday.
Days after the game, Eriksen wrote on Instagram that he's "fine—under the circumstances," adding that he's still in the hospital to undergo more examinations.
The 29-year-old has played with Denmark's national team since 2010. He led the country to the round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time in 16 years it advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Christian Eriksen on IG After Cardiac Arrest: 'I'm Fine - Under the Circumstances'
Jun 15, 2021
People writing well wishes at a graffiti for Danish player Christian Eriksen on a wall at the fanzone in Copenhagen, Denmark, Monday, June 14, 2021. Eriksen remains in hospital after he collapsed on the pitch during the European Championship game against Finland on Saturday and needed CPR from medical staff before regaining consciousness. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen said he is feeling "fine" in an Instagram post Tuesday after going into cardiac arrest in Saturday's match against Finland.
"Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world," Eriksen wrote. "It means a lot to me and my family. I'm fine—under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
"Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches."
Eriksen collapsed late in the first half of Denmark's Euro 2020 opener, with Danish team doctors needing to use a defibrillator to restart his heart before transferring him to a local hospital.
“He was gone. And we did cardiac resuscitation. And it was cardiac arrest," said team doctor Morten Boesen. "How close were we? I don’t know. We got him back after one defib. That’s quite fast.”
Eriksen released a statement to Gazzetta Dello Sport (h/t Mail Online) on Monday saying he was feeling better but wants "to understand what happened."
Inter Milan director Giuseppe Marotta dismissed misinformation that spread on social media regarding the cause of Eriksen's cardiac arrest being related to COVID-19, saying he had not contracted the disease nor received a vaccine for it. (Vaccines for COVID-19 have been deemed safe and effective by the CDC.)
Previous examinations of Eriksen's heart showed no areas of concern.
Denmark continued the match following Eriksen's collapse, losing 1-0. UEFA has taken significant criticism for its decision to not postpone the match, but the governing body said scheduling issues left it with no choice.
"We were put in a position which I personally don't think we should have been put in," Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel told reporters Monday. "It probably required that someone above us had said that it was not the time to make a decision and maybe should wait for the next day."
Christian Eriksen Thanks Fans, Says 'I Won't Give Up' Following Cardiac Arrest
Jun 14, 2021
Denmark's Christian Eriksen controls the ball during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Denmark and Finland at Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Eriksen collapsed on the pitch and received medical assistance before being taken to hospital. (Wolfgang Rattay/Pool via AP)
Denmark's Christian Eriksen sent a message to fans as he recovers from his scary collapse on the pitch Saturday.
"Thank you, I won't give up," Eriksen's agent, Martin Schoots, relayed to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Alex Young of the Evening Standard). "I feel better now, but I want to understand what's happened.
"I want to say thank you all for what you did for me."
Eriksen collapsed during his team's match against Finland at Euro 2020.
Morten Boesen, the team doctor, said Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated. He was transferred to the hospital and remains under supervision.
An update from the Danish Football Association on Sunday noted Eriksen was in stable condition and communicated with his teammates.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand later relayed Eriksen's message to his teammates after the squad's 1-0 loss to Finland.
"I think you are feeling worse than I am. I feel as if I'm about to go training now, boys."
The match was initially suspended after the medical emergency, but the two sides resumed play later in the day. Denmark is scheduled to play its next match Thursday against Belgium.
Eriksen had led the national team with five goals and three assists in seven matches during qualifying for Euro 2020. At the club level, the 29-year-old spent time with Ajax and Tottenham before playing the past two years at Inter Milan.
Christian Eriksen Messaged Teammates, Will Remain in Hospital for Evaluation
Jun 13, 2021
Denmark's Christian Eriksen controls the ball during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Denmark and Finland at Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Eriksen collapsed on the pitch and received medical assistance before being taken to hospital. (Wolfgang Rattay/Pool via AP)
The Danish football association provided an update on Christian Eriksen on Sunday, noting he is in stable condition and that he sent greetings to his teammates:
Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark's match against Finland on Saturday at Euro 2020. He received CPR on the pitch, according to Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports.
A later update by UEFA noted Eriksen was transferred to a hospital and had been stabilized.
The match was initially suspended, but players from both teams requested a restart later in the day. Finland eventually earned a 1-0 victory.
The focus still remains on Eriksen, with national team players and staff receiving crisis assistance.
Eriksen, 29, has been a key player for Denmark for more than a decade, appearing at the 2010 World Cup when he was just 18 years old. He started seven of the squad's eight matches during Euro qualifying, leading the team with five goals and three assists.
The midfielder helped Inter Milan win the Serie A title this season in his second year with the club after spending time with Tottenham and Ajax earlier in his career.
Christian Eriksen Stabilized After Collapsing During Euro 2020; Match Suspended
Jun 12, 2021
Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen warms up before the UEFA EURO 2020 group B football match between Denmark and Finland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Sat, Jun 12, 2021. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / various sources / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Denmark's Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch near the end of the first half during Saturday's Group B match against Finland at the 2020 European Championship in Copenhagen.
According to Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports, Eriksen was "clearly passed out and unconscious" and was given CPR on the field.
The match was suspended with the score tied 0-0.
UEFA released the following statement, noting Eriksen had been taken to the hospital and stabilized:
Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET.
The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.
Brendan Dunlop of the Toronto Star described the scene after Eriksen collapsed:
Hearts in mouths everywhere watching the situation in Copenhagen right now. Truly frightening the way Christian Eriksen fell to the ground. You could tell by the immediate reaction of the players they knew it was serious #DENFIN
Denmark's match against Finland was its first of Euro 2020, which was postponed until this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 29-year-old Eriksen is an attacking midfielder who plays for Serie A side Inter Milan. He previously played for Ajax from 2010 to 2013 and Tottenham Hotspur from 2013 to 2020.
Eriksen helped lead Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and Tottenham to a runner-up finish in the UEFA Champions League in 2019 before winning a Serie A title with Inter Milan last season.
The Middelfart, Denmark, native had scored 36 goals in 108 career appearances for the Danish national team entering Saturday's match.
Lautaro Martinez Is One of the World's Best Strikers, Says Mauricio Pochettino
Mar 20, 2020
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 12, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez is one of the world's best strikers, according to former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentinian told Radio La Plata (h/t Andy Ha at Football.London) that the 22-year-old's quality and potential mean he will be a target for the top clubs.
"Lautaro Martinez is one of the best strikers in the world. It's not just for what he does now, but for what his potential means going forward. If you start looking at hitmen for the big clubs, clearly his name has to be in there."
Martinez scored nine goals in all competitions in his first season at San Siro but has thrived in 2019-20 alongside Romelu Lukaku in attack and under new manager Antonio Conte:
The youngster's performances for the Serie A club have fuelled rumours he could be the subject of a big-money bid and leave Inter in the summer.
La Liga champions Barcelona have offered Martinez a five-year contract, according to journalist Nicolo Shira:
#Barcellona are working for #LautaroMartinez. El Toro is #Barça’s first choice for the summer. They have offered to him a contract until 2025 with a wages of €7M + bonuses a year. #Inter would not want to sell his striker, but there is a release clause (€111M). #transfers#FCB
Captain Lionel Messi has praised his compatriot and said he hopes to moves to Barcelona, per football writer Dermot Corrigan:
Messi on Lautaro Martinez: "He is spectacular, impressive ability, a great player, strong, very good one-on-one, scores lots, holds the ball, can battle with any defender. Such a quality, complete player, very like Luis [Suarez]. Hope he comes here and helps us "
Meanwhile, Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen on the forward, according to Sport (h/t Metro).
Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti has spoken about the speculation and said Martinez is "happy" at the club and thinks he will continue playing in Italy in an interview with Radio Continental (h/t Football Italia).
Per Juan Jimenez at AS, Martinez has a release clause that drops to €111 million in the first two weeks of July, and Inter Milan are likely to receive plenty of interest in the striker when the transfer window reopens.
Romelu Lukaku Talks 'Difficult Situation' at Manchester United, Inter Transfer
Mar 19, 2020
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on February 16, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)
The Belgium international made the switch to the Serie A side last summer and has enjoyed a fine first campaign at the San Siro.
In the previous term, he fell out of favour at Old Trafford under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While Lukaku was able to score goals regularly in a red shirt, his profile as a forward didn't fit the way the United boss wanted his team to operate. Lukaku discussed his time at the club on Ian Wright's YouTube channel (h/t Marcus Banks of the Manchester Evening News):
"One bad year can happen to everybody in their career. It was just done for me. It was a difficult situation for myself. I had to make a decision.
"I had to go somewhere where I could learn other aspects of my game, work with somebody who wanted me. Yes [it bothered me that people were talking about my shape], it got to my head.
"Training is different, here you work hard. They work you hard. Speak to Ashley Young. There's a lot of difference, here the team is the team, there's like team bonding, we have two or three team dinners every three weeks, all together, nobody misses out."
Lukaku also praised his current manager Antonio Conte, saying the former Chelsea boss has transformed Inter into the "most aggressive team in the league." "The manager puts it in us," he continued. "Be aggressive and press, the physical preparation."
The 26-year-old has been able to find the net frequently for Inter this season, with 17 goals in 25 top-flight appearances. Per OptaPaolo, this season Lukaku has proved he can score different kinds of goals:
3+3+3 - Romelu #Lukaku is the only player to have scored at least 3 right-footed, 3 left-footed and 3 headed goals in the current #SerieA campaign. Multitasking. pic.twitter.com/mRpz95RgZB
Finding the net has never been an issue for the Belgian. During his time with Anderlecht, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, United and Inter, he's showcased a ruthless streak when chances fall to him.
At United, he was criticised for his conditioning and there was a sense he didn't fit in with the fluid attacking football Solskjaer wanted to play.
Since leaving United, Lukaku has been able to develop more facets of his game under Conte. Italian football writer David Amoyal commented on how well the pair are working together:
You can really see why Conte was trying to sign Lukaku dating back to when he was at Juve, they both like to punish the opponent into submission
Before the suspension of matches in Italy due to the coronavirus pandemic, Inter found themselves in the middle of a gripping title race. They were nine points behind leaders Juventus and eight behind Lazio in second spot, although the Nerazzurri had a game in hand on both.
Lukaku was a crucial part of that push, and as he enters what appear to be the peak years of his career, Inter are set to be the main benefactors.
Javier Zanetti: Inter's Lautaro Martinez Has 'A Future in Italian Football'
Mar 19, 2020
Inter Milan's Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez gestures during the Italian Serie A football match Lazio Rome vs Inter Milan on February 16, 2020 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lautaro Martinez is "very happy" at Inter Milan and has "a future in Italian football," according to Nerazzurri vice-president Javier Zanetti.
The Argentinian striker has been linked with a move to Barcelona since last summer.
During an impressive 2019-20 campaign in which he has netted 11 Serie A goals and formed a fine partnership with Romelu Lukaku, those links have not gone away, especially after Luis Suarez suffered a serious knee injury:
add Lautaro Martinez and a fast winger to the front-line with Messi and the entire attack just transforms. you saw a glimpse of it when Braithwaite came on and he's just an average player.
Zanetti, though, has moved to make assurances that Martinez will stay at Inter. He told Radio Continental (h/t Santi Gimenez of AS):
"Right now, I see him having a future in Italian football. We are very happy with him, and he is very happy too with Inter Milan."
Per Gimenez, Barca are considering potentially meeting Martinez's €111 million (£102 million) release clause, although they are also hoping that the fee could be lowered when the 2019-20 season is eventually finished.
Martinez, 22, signed for Inter from Argentinian side Racing in July 2018 for €22.7 million (£20 million).
In his debut campaign at the club he scored six goals and provided two assists in 27 appearances as Inter finished fourth in Serie A.
This term, he has increased his output, contributing to a goal every 139 minutes in Serie A compared to every 167 minutes last term.
He and Lukaku have played a key role in Inter's title bid under Antonio Conte this term:
2 - #Inter have two players with 8+ goals scored (#Lautaro Martínez and Romelu #Lukaku) in the first 14 games played in Serie A this season for the first time since 2001/02, with Christian Vieri and Mohammed Kallon. Duo.#InterSPALpic.twitter.com/bpvrpJvimB
Unfortunately for Inter, their 2-0 loss to Juventus in their final game before Serie A was suspended due to the coronavirus has left them nine points off the pace in Serie A, although they do have a game in hand:
If the 2019-20 Serie A season is ever completed, it is looking increasingly unlikely Inter will win their first Scudetto since 2010.
But they have shown this term they are ready to challenge for titles again, and they will need to keep hold of Martinez if that is to continue.
Lionel Scaloni: 'Whole World' Wants Lautaro Martinez Amid Barcelona Rumours
Feb 15, 2020
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 12, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has talked up the interest in Inter star Lautaro Martinez, saying the "whole world" wants to sign him amid persistent links to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Scaloni spoke to AS (h/t Football Italia) about the future of the young forward: "Lautaro Martinez is the player, after Kylian Mbappe, who the whole world wants to sign for his age and quality. However, he plays for a big club already and it won’t be easy to prise him away from Inter."
Per the report, both Barcelona and Real are keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old, who has a €111 release clause in his contract. Manchester United have also been linked with the Argentinian, but per ESPN FC's Mark Ogden, he has no interest in joining the Red Devils:
Man United are facing disappointment in their attempts to sign Lautaro Martinez, sources have told @MarkOgden_
Per the Times' Paul Hirst, the Premier League giants don't want to pay his full release clause:
Manchester United have ruled out a move for Lautaro Martínez after they balked at Inter Milan’s £94 million asking price, reports @hirstclasshttps://t.co/9GR6ShXMic
Barcelona have been linked with the forward the most, identifying him as an ideal long-term replacement for Luis Suarez. Like the Uruguayan, Martinez excels at linking the play and creating space for his team-mates, as well as scoring goals himself.
He has bagged 11 goals in Serie A already this season and also netted five times in six UEFA Champions League outings—one of those goals came at the Camp Nou:
Martinez has struck a fine partnership with Romelu Lukaku, and the two have fired Inter into their first real Serie A title challenge in years. They're currently tied on points with eight-time defending champions Juventus.
The Nerazzurri are unlikely to sell their prized forward for anything less than the clause in his contract, although they do have a potential replacement already in the squad. Star prospect Sebastiano Esposito is regarded as one of the best talents in Italy, and the 17-year-old has already scored his first Serie A goal.
The Italian isn't ready for a full-time role yet, but he is expected to push for a starting role in the near future. That could open the door for a Martinez exit, although he will still come at a massive cost.
