The doctor who helped bring Christian Eriksen back to life after he suffered a cardiac arrest last week on the football pitch has revealed the first words of the Danish star after he regained consciousness.
The Inter Milan and former Tottenham midfielder collapsed during the first half of the EURO 2020 group game against Finland in Copenhagen and required 13 minutes of CPR before he was taken to hospital in a stable condition, where he remains.
German doctor, Jens Kleinefeld was one of the first people on the scene at the Parken Stadium and helped deliver an electric shock that restarted his heart. He’s now revealed what Eriksen said in the moments after he regained consciousness.
Kleinefeld told Fox Sports: ‘About 30 seconds later, the player opened his eyes and I could talk to him directly.
‘That was a very moving moment, because in such medical emergencies in everyday life, the chances of success are much lower.’
Kleinefeld revealed he then asked Eriksen: ‘Well, are you back with us?’ and Eriksen replied: ‘Yes, I am back with you. For f***s sake, I’m only 29 years old.’
Danish national team doctor Morten Boesen announced on Thursday morning that Eriksen will be given an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to regulate his heart’s rhythm.
A statement read: ‘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.
‘We encourage everybody to give Christian and his family peace and privacy the following time’.
Eriksen posted the first picture of himself in hospital on Tuesday June 15 since suffering a cardiac arrest.
In the caption, the 29-year old said: ‘Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. 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. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian’.
