Eriksen at home, "doing well" after collapse

Sat Jun 13 2026 11:43:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Denmark star Christian Eriksen says he is doing well and recovering at home after collapsing during a friendly with Ukraine, he posted on Instagram.

After collapsing in a pre‑World Cup friendly against Ukraine, Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen has returned home with his family and is on the mend, according to his Instagram statement. The 34‑year‑old, who has been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) since his 2021 cardiac arrest, confirmed that his recovery has already begun and that his heart device worked as expected. The match was abandoned after 65 minutes and Eriksen was able to walk from the field once he re‑awakened. He thanked medical staff and teammates for support and expressed gratitude for his ICD’s role in keeping him safe. Eriksen, now playing for Wolfsburg, said he remains confident about his future in football.

Eriksen at home, "doing well" after collapse

Christian Eriksen, 151 caps for Denmark.

Youngest all‑time record holder for appearances with Denmark, Christian Eriksen says he is doing well and is at home with his family after collapsing during a friendly against Ukraine on Saturday.

The 34‑year‑old spent the night in hospital following the incident, and in a post on Instagram he added that his "recovery has already started".

The match in Odense was stopped at 65 minutes when Eriksen fell suddenly. He regained consciousness and was able to walk off the pitch, but the game was abandoned shortly afterward.

Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after a cardiac arrest in 2021 during the Euros. The device delivered a shock to normalise his heart rate and is now a part of his life as he continues to play for Wolfsburg.

“The pacemaker responded as it should,” Danish national team doctor Morten Boesen said. Eriksen added that he is focusing on healing, spending time with family, taking a vacation and playing football with his children.

The IC‑D device does not prohibit participation in leagues such as the Premier League or Bundesliga, but Serie A does; that is why Eriksen’s Inter‑Milan contract was terminated in 2024. Other players have continued to play with similar devices, most notably former United midfielder Daley Blind.

With the World Cup set to begin on Thursday, Denmark and Ukraine are both out of contention, but the incident reminds teams worldwide of the crucial role medical technology plays in athlete safety.