Euro 2020: Christian Eriksen discharged hospital after being fitted with heart-starter

Christian Eriksen is out of hospital after being discharged following a successful operation.

The Denmark midfielder has been fitted with a implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to regulate his heart’s rhythm, having suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in his country’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland 

That left him requiring 13 minutes of CPR, and Eriksen had been in hospital since that incredibly distressing incident six days ago.

The Danish FA also confirmed that the midfielder has been to visit his team-mates, and will now go and return to his family.  

They said: ‘Christian Eriksen has been through a successful operation and was today discharged from Rigshospitalet.

‘Today he also visited the national team in Helsingor – and from there he will go home and spend time with his family.’

Eriksen also provided an update on his recovery and gave some words of encouragement to his team-mates ahead of their final group stage match.

Christian Eriksen has been discharged from hospital after being fitted with a heart-starter

The midfielder required 13 minutes of CPR after he suffered a cardiac arrest against Finland

‘Thank you for the massive number of greetings – it has been incredible to see and feel,’ he said.

‘The operation went well, and I am doing really well under the circumstances.

‘It was really great to see the guys again after the fantastic game they played last night. No need to say, that I will be cheering on them on Monday against Russia.’ 

During Denmark’s match with Belgium on Thursday, both sets of players stopped in the 10th minutes to pay tribute to Eriksen as the whole stadium united in applause.  

A large shirt was unveiled before the match bearing Eriksen’s name and number, while in the stands Belgium fans held up banners and personalised messages of support for the midfielder. 

Belgium and Denmark stopped play in the 10th minute to show their support for Eriksen

A huge shirt was brought on before the match with the midfielder’s name and number

Jens Kleinefeld, a German doctor who was one of the first to treat Eriksen after he collapsed on the pitch, described the moment the player regained consciousness after the defibrillator had been used.

‘About 30 seconds later, he opened his eyes and I could talk to him directly,’ Kleinefeld told Fox Sports.

‘That was a very moving moment, as in such medical emergencies in everyday life, the chances of success are much lower.’

Kleinefeld 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.

‘That’s when I knew the brain wasn’t damaged and he had fully returned.’