Christian Eriksen will continue his rehabilitation from a recent cardiac incident in his native Denmark, according to a statement from his club, Wolfsburg. The midfielder collapsed for a second time on June 7 during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine, nearly five years after a similar event at Euro 2020. His implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), fitted in 2021, reportedly intervened to restore his heart's rhythm.
Despite assurances from Eriksen that he was feeling well and that the recent incident was different from the 2021 event, medical experts have cautioned against his return to elite sports. Henning Molgaard, a Danish heart expert, told Danish outlet Bold that most elite athletes with an ICD choose to retire. He emphasized that competing in elite sports with such a device is highly unusual and that future collapses are anticipated, though the timing is uncertain.
Wolfsburg confirmed that Eriksen, under contract until next summer, would undertake an individual rehabilitation program in Denmark. The Bundesliga 2 club stated they are in regular contact with Eriksen and the treating physicians, wishing him the best for his recovery. Eriksen's collapse during the Denmark match saw medical staff rush to his aid. He was able to walk to an ambulance that transported him to Odense University Hospital. Following the incident, Eriksen released a statement expressing gratitude for the support and stating his ICD functioned as designed. He indicated his immediate focus was on recovery, family time, and playing football with his children. Wolfsburg is scheduled to begin their league campaign on August 8.