Denmark soccer star Christian Eriksen will have a heart-starter device implanted, after his collapse during the Euro 2020 game against Finland.
The device is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which helps regulate a heart's rhythm.
"After Christian has been through different heart examinations, it has been decided that he should have an ICD," says team doctor Morten Boesen. "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."
Medics performed life-saving CPR and his heart was restarted with a defibrillator after his collapse. Boesen earlier said Eriksen was "gone", before being revived.
Eriksen, 29, has a chance to return to soccer, even with the ICD, if doctors give him the green light. Netherlands defender Daley Blind has played with one since 2019.
Eriksen, who also plays for Inter Milan, would need permission to return to that team. ESPN reports Italian FA rules prohibit players from competing with internal defibrillators.
Two days ago, he posted a photo to social media from his hospital bed to let fans know he was OK.
"Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world," he 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. Play for all of Denmark."
Belgium break Danish hearts
In response, Denmark have scored the second-fastest goal in European Championship history, but Belgium have advanced to the knockout stages, after Kevin de Bruyne orchestrated a 2-1 comeback victory in their Group B match.
Denmark had the perfect start, when midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg intercepted the ball to feed an unmarked Yussuf Poulsen, who arrowed a right-footed shot into the bottom corner with 99 seconds on the clock.
Belgium were poor in the first half, but equalised nine minutes into the second from a counter-attack, when Romelu Lukaku used his power to drive the ball forward and found De Bruyne, who squared the ball for Thorgan Hazard to score with a tap-in.
De Bruyne then broke Danish hearts, when he gave Belgium the lead in the 70th minute, receiving the ball at the edge of the box from a slick passing move and firing a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Belgium have a maximum six points from two games, while Denmark are bottom of the group after two losses. Russia and Finland have three points each after two games.
Reuters
