Eriksen collapses again on international duty, raising fresh fears over his career

Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s friendly international against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, prompting the referee to abandon the match and sparking immediate concern over the 34-year-old’s health and playing future.

Medics attended to Eriksen quickly as players from both sides formed a protective ring around him on the pitch. He was conscious as he was helped to an ambulance, and the Danish football federation later confirmed he was doing well “under the circumstances” after a brief period of unconsciousness.

Team doctor Morten Boesen provided a further update on Monday. “I spoke with Christian this morning and he is doing well,” Boesen said. “He is with his family and in good spirits… the expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.”

The incident is the second major medical episode of Eriksen’s career. In May 2021, he suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 group-stage opener against Finland — his 151st cap came on Sunday, exactly five years on from that collapse. He was stabilised in hospital and fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) to manage cardiac rhythm disturbances.

Because Serie A rules prohibit players from competing with an ICD fitted, Inter Milan terminated his contract in December 2021. Eriksen resumed his career with Brentford in February 2022, returned to international football a month later, and subsequently signed for Manchester United, making 107 appearances over three seasons before joining Wolfsburg on a free transfer last summer.

Wolfsburg were relegated from the Bundesliga last season and will compete in the second tier in 2025-26. Eriksen has 12 months remaining on his contract with the club.

With Eriksen still in hospital, no decisions about his future are expected imminently. Medical advice and the wishes of his family are likely to shape what comes next. Should he choose to retire, he would do so with more than 800 club and international appearances to his name and league titles won in the Netherlands and Italy.