Eriksen collapses again during Denmark vs Ukraine friendly but walks off under own power

Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine, losing consciousness momentarily before recovering and walking off the pitch under his own power. The 34-year-old midfielder clutched his chest and fell to the ground in the 79th minute, prompting medical personnel to rush onto the field.

Eriksen regained consciousness following treatment on the pitch and was able to leave the field on his own feet — a significant detail given the severity of his previous cardiac episode. He was subsequently taken to hospital for further examinations.

The incident is the second time Eriksen has collapsed during a match. In June 2021, the then-Inter Milan player suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 group game against Finland in Copenhagen, requiring resuscitation from medical staff before being stabilised. He was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Eriksen subsequently had the ICD removed to comply with Serie A regulations, returned to professional football with Brentford in January 2022, and later joined Manchester United. His comeback was widely regarded as one of sport’s most remarkable recoveries.

The full circumstances of Friday’s collapse and his current medical condition are subject to the hospital examinations now under way. No further details on his condition had been released at the time of publication.